Evaluation of the satisfaction and effectiveness of the learning in abdominal wall surgery in residents of the digestive system surgery at a tertiary public hospital in Brazil

Abstract

AIM: To report the outcomes of questionnaire assessment about the teaching of the abdominal wall surgery and the incorporation of the techniques taught during the general surgery and digestive tract surgery residency into the individual practice. METHODS: The graduated surgeons and resident doctors from 2014 to 2019 were invited to answer a standardized questionnaire about the abdominal wall surgery teaching program, mastery of specific techniques, and medical practice of each. We performed a chi-square test to evaluate whether the degree of satisfaction correlates to the degree of personal confidence and whether it correlates to performing the procedure in this practice. RESULTS: When assessing the degree of self-confidence to perform specific procedures, all students were confident in performing the Lichtenstein procedure; 22% were confident in transabdominal pre-peritoneal hernioplasty (TAPP); 77% were confident in Rives-Stoppa and anterior separation technique; and 18% were confident in Transversus Abdominis Muscle Release (TAR) technique. The statistical analysis showed a correlation between teaching program satisfaction and the degree of self-confidence only for the TAR procedure (P = 0,06). The analysis also showed a correlation between the degree of self-confidence to perform a specific procedure and its usage on daily practice only for the Rives-Stoppa procedure (P = 0,00). CONCLUSION: These results show the importance of a structured Abdominal Wall Surgery Program, as well as the continuing education evaluation and quality improvement, as the instrument exposed, which to our knowledge, is the first questionnaire to assess the teaching of the abdominal wall and it may be considered a helpful tool.