Patient Perceptions of Resident Involvement in Surgery: A Qualitative Study Using Surgical Video

Authors

• Mark M. Naguib MD
• R. Thomas Day MD
• Catherine Hammack-Aviran MA, JDFollow
• Kathleen M. Brelsford PhD, MPH
• Alexander Langerman MD, SM, FACS

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

This qualitative study examines patient perceptions of surgical resident involvement in operative procedures and its implications for informed consent practices. Through semi-structured interviews with 27 adult patients at a tertiary care medical center, participants viewed a video depicting collaborative surgery between an attending physician and a resident. Prior to viewing the video, participants held divergent assumptions about the role of residents, ranging from passive observation to active procedural participation. After viewing the video, most participants expressed reassurance regarding resident involvement when it was framed as supervised teamwork. Participants emphasized the importance of transparency during the consent process, particularly regarding resident supervision, specific procedural roles, and trainee experience. The findings suggest that clearer communication about surgical training and collaborative care may enhance patient understanding and trust in academic medical settings.

Recommended Citation

Mark Naguib, R. Thomas Day, Catherine Hammack-Aviran, Kathleen Brelsford, & Alex Langerman, Patient Perceptions of Resident Involvement in Surgery: A Qualitative Study Using Surgical Video, 79 J. Surgical Ed. 4: 974-82 (2022).