Residents' Views of Plastic Surgery in the Geriatric Population An Objective Needs Assessment for Graduate Plastic Surgery Education

Background: This study was undertaken to identify educational needs for plastic surgery residents regarding the care of elderly patients. Methods: A focus group of plastic surgery residents was conducted. Investigators coded the focus group transcript, using a "concept identification" technique and organized the coded concepts within the 6 general competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Codes were then analyzed to determine whether they reflected an area of educational need. Results: Eight residents participated. Investigators coded 118 concepts. Educational need was identified in 102 (86%) of the concepts, with medical knowledge identified as the area of greatest need. Conclusion: This study supports the need for improved education in geriatrics care at our program. This process facilitated the development of a new curriculum at our program and demonstrated that the concept coding technique is useful for analysis of focus groups for needs assessment in surgical education.