Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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In 2012, a systematic review reported on factors influencing female medical students, career intentions for surgery. This current review is a direct follow-up of that article with the aim of assessing whether factors affecting female medical student career choices have changed over the last decade. This review has identified access to research opportunities as a new factor that can be used to promote female medical student and trainee interest in surgery. Other factors have largely remained unchanged over the last 10 years, such as lack of access to leave, part-time work, and same-gender role models.
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Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a set of principles and practices designed to improve the ways professionals treat people who have been traumatized. This study reviews fundamental concepts of TIC and applies them to the work of surgeons. TIC is described in relation to fundamental medical ethical concepts, and evidence for TIC-based intervention is reviewed. Implementation of TIC in medical education is also described, and recommendations for practice changes are made.
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Postoperative urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with increased lengths of stay, inpatient costs, and mortality. Review of institutional data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) NSQIP revealed opportunities to improve practices with respect to urinary catheter (Foley) insertion, catheter care, adherence to diagnosis and prevention protocols, and ACS NSQIP reporting. ⋯ A series of interventions, including provider training, patient education, and audits of practice with performance feedback, are associated with improvements in both practice and the incidence of postoperative UTI.