The difference between the mortality rates among new surgeons and more experienced surgeons is statistically negligible, according to a study published by the American Statistical Association.
Examining data from more than 130,000 patients across nearly 500 hospitals, researchers created two groups of patients with 6,260 surgical patients each that were similar to one another in 2.9 million categories (such as the number and type of procedures performed, pre-existing conditions, etc.).
According to the ASA's analysis, the mortality rate for patients of new surgeons was 3.71 percent (232 deaths out of 6,260 surgeries). The new surgeons' mortality rate was almost the same as the mortality rate for patients of experienced surgeons, at 3.59 percent (225 deaths out of 6,260 surgeries).
According to Rachel R. Kelz, MD, study researcher and associate professor of surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the findings are promising, but require further investigation.
"It is reassuring that new surgeons were able to achieve similar mortality rates to experienced surgeons when caring for similar patients. However, mortality is a relatively rare event that may not expose the benefits of experience," said Dr. Kelz. "Therefore, future studies focused on additional outcomes are needed to ensure that new surgeon training and transition to independent practice are appropriately structured to meet the surgical needs of the public."
More articles on surgery quality:
Longer surgeries increase risk of VTE, study shows
10 ways hospitals are making surgeries safer
Surgical site infections top reason for unplanned readmissions