Flexibility in Surgical Training Does Not Affect American Board of Surgery Board Eligibility or Certification: Long-term Outcomes from a Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study of General Surgery Residents

Despite spending more time on subspecialty-focused flexible rotations, residents participating in FIST perform similarly to their peers in multiple measures, including on the ABS QE and CE. Incorporating integrated subspecialty training within GS residency does not interfere with the future success of trainees in obtaining ABS board certification. These findings could help inform modifications to the structure of surgical training, including allowing for earlier entry into subspecialty training.