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.