Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Objective intraoperative performance metrics are a new resource for the field of surgical data science. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review to analyze the existing literature on robotic surgical objective performance indicators (OPIs). ⋯ Clinically, OPIs have been used to predict postoperative patient outcomes and measure intraoperative efficiency. OPIs have shown promise in preliminary surgical education and patient outcomes-related studies, and further multicenter collaborative research will be imperative to validate the use of OPIs in the field of surgery.
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Observational Study
Social Vulnerability and Receipt of Guideline-Concordant Care among Patients with Colorectal Cancer.
Cancer outcome disparities have been reported in highly vulnerable communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of social vulnerability with receipt of guideline-concordant care (GCC) and mortality risk for patients with colorectal cancer. ⋯ For highly vulnerable patients, treatment at CoC-accredited hospitals was associated with increased receipt of GCC and decreased mortality risk, which may reflect CoC accreditation requirements for treatment guideline adherence, community engagement, and addressing barriers to care.
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The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma has established a framework for trauma center quality improvement. Despite efforts, recent studies show persistent variation in patient outcomes across national trauma centers. We aimed to investigate whether risk-adjusted mortality varies at the hospital level and if high-performing centers demonstrate better adherence to ACS Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) program quality measures. ⋯ Significant variation in risk-adjusted mortality persists across trauma centers. Given the association between adherence to quality measures and high performance, multidisciplinary efforts to refine and implement guidelines are warranted.
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Existing research exploring predictors of success on American Board of Surgery (ABS) examinations focused on either resident or residency program characteristics, but limited studies focus on both. This study examines relationships between both resident and program characteristics and ABS qualifying (QE) and certifying examination (CE) outcomes. ⋯ This study highlights resident and program characteristics that predict success on ABS examinations. USMLE scores consistently and strongly related to ABS examination success, providing evidence that USMLE scores relate to future high-stakes consequences like board certification. After controlling for previous performance, gender, IMG, and program %IMG significantly related to ABS examination success, but effects were small.
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Second victim syndrome (SVS) is described as when healthcare providers encounter significant moral distress after traumatic patient care events. Although broadly recognized in medicine, this remains underrecognized in surgery, and no systemic approaches exist to mitigate potential harms of SVS among surgeons. When SVS is left unaddressed, surgeons not only suffer personal psychological harm but their ability to care for future patients can also be compromised. The aim was to examine surgeons' perceptions and attitudes regarding mitigation of SVS. ⋯ Surgeons agreed that healthcare organizations have a moral imperative to assist surgeons in navigating the psychosocial impacts of SVS after adverse surgical outcomes. The success of mitigation strategies was viewed as ethically relevant to patients and surgeons and dependent on the culture, tenor, and tone of the process.