Residents' views of plastic surgery in the geriatric population: an objective needs assessment for graduate plastic surgery education.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify educational needs for plastic surgery residents regarding the care of elderly patients. A focus group of plastic surgery residents was conducted. Investigators coded the focus group transcript, using a "concept identification" technique and organized the coded concepts within the 6 general competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Codes were then analyzed to determine whether they reflected an area of educational need. Eight residents participated. Investigators coded 118 concepts. Educational need was identified in 102 (86%) of the concepts, with medical knowledge identified as the area of greatest need. This study supports the need for improved education in geriatrics care at our program. This process facilitated the development of a new curriculum at our program and demonstrated that the concept coding technique is useful for analysis of focus groups for needs assessment in surgical education.