Understanding Why Residents May Inaccurately Log Their Role in Operations: A Look at the 2013 In-Training Examination Survey [1]
During the 2013 In-Training Exam for cardiothoracic surgery residents, 312 residents were surveyed regarding their training. Residents self-reported that only 70-75% of the cases they claimed 'surgeon' credit met the ABTS definition for 'surgeon'--i.e., the resident performs "those technical manipulations that constituted the essential parts of the procedure itself" and has substantial involvement in preoperative and postoperative care. What are the reasons that residents feel they need to 'over-report' their cases? What are the implications of this study?