Integrating a global surgery curriculum into an academic surgery residency in the United States

Abstract Purpose Global surgery interest is high among trainees, but education is limited and focused on international electives. We piloted a longitudinal global surgery curriculum integrated into the general surgery residency program in a large academic medical center over 1 year. Methods We established and integrated a global surgery curriculum into the existing general surgery curriculum. Cross-sectional surveys using a Likert scale were distributed to all surgery residents at the beginning and end of the academic year to assess self-reported global surgery knowledge and interest. Pre and post-comparisons were made using Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results Our global surgery curriculum consisted of weekly didactics, which were integrated into the 4-week organ system blocks and topics integrated into the research curriculum. A total of 25 residents completed the pre-survey (47% response rate). A total of 17 residents completed the post-survey (32% response rate). Median Global Surgery Knowledge was 2 (IQR 2–3) before curriculum and 2 (IQR 1–3) post curriculum ( p = 0.705). Median Global Surgery Interest was 4 (IQR 3–5) before curriculum and 4 (IQR 1.5–5) post curriculum ( p = 0.988). Median Global Surgery Importance was 3 (IQR 2–4) before curriculum and 3 (IQR 2-5) post curriculum ( p = 0.546). There was no significant difference in global surgery career interest, with 45.83% interested in the pre-survey and 50% interested in the post-survey ( p = 0.796). Discussion Due to insufficient trainee interest and competing educational priorities, the global surgery curriculum was restructured from an integrated curriculum for all residents to a multi-dimensional track for residents committed to global surgery.