Short and Long-Term Outcomes From a Large Single Institution’s Experience With Preliminary Surgical Residents

Objective

To identify short and long-term outcomes of consecutive preliminary surgical residents over an 18-year selection period.

Design

This is a prospectively collected, retrospectively analyzed database and current publicly available outcomes of consecutively matched preliminary surgical residents. Outcomes of interest include training in ACGME sponsored programs and long-term professional practice outcomes, considering status of medical education and country of origin.

Setting

Private non-profit research academic general surgery residency program in the United States.

Participants

178 consecutive preliminary surgical residents between 2006 and 2025 were considered with respect to training outcomes, country of origin, fellowship selection, and academic positions.

Results

Of the 178 residents, 32 (18%) were from the US, and 146 (82%) were International Medical Graduates (IMGs). 27/32 (84%) of US graduates completed or are in categorical US training programs. Similarly, 128/146 (88%) of IMGs completed/are in categorical programs. 10 IMGs continued training outside of the US. 106 total residents trained in general surgery (10/96), 10 US, 96 IMG) with an additional 20 (6/14) training in surgical specialties. 30 additional residents (14/16) trained in radiology (diagnostic or interventional), anesthesiology, or emergency medicine. 78 IMGs completed fellowship training in general surgery subspecialties, with the most common specialties including colorectal surgery, plastic surgery, surgical oncology, and vascular surgery. IMG residents were selected from around the world (41 countries), with the highest numbers from Asia (54), Europe (53), and North America (41). Only 3 residents, however, have returned to their country of origin.

Conclusions

Surgical programs can select applicants and offer preliminary surgical training to IMGs from around the world with successful placement into categorical programs if they select, counsel and support both US graduates and IMGs. IMGs, however, seem unlikely to return to the countries of origin following training.