To capture the perspectives of Italian breast surgeons and residents on current training, unmet needs, and desired reforms in breast surgery education, emphasizing the importance of these findings for future training reforms.
Key Findings:
126 participants completed the survey, including 97 consultant surgeons and 29 residents, highlighting a diverse representation of the field.
19.8% of participants worked in low-volume breast units, while 49.2% were in medium-volume and 31% in high-volume centers, indicating variability in training environments.
45.2% of respondents had over 10 years of clinical practice, suggesting a wealth of experience that can inform training reforms.
Interpretation:
The survey highlights significant gaps in breast surgery training in Italy, emphasizing the need for a structured and standardized training pathway to improve patient care outcomes.
Limitations:
The response rate was only 31.9%, which may limit the generalizability of the findings; future studies should aim for higher participation.
The survey was conducted at a single conference, potentially introducing selection bias; conducting surveys across multiple venues could provide a more comprehensive view.
Conclusion:
There is a pressing need for formal recognition of breast surgery as a distinct subspecialty in Italy, along with the establishment of a competency-based training framework. Stakeholders in breast surgery education should collaborate to address these needs.
by Massimo Ferrucci, Nicola Rocco, Rosa Di Micco, Giuseppe Catanuto, Francesco Milardi, Daniela Terribile, Annalisa Curcio, Secondo Folli, Manuela Roncella, Matteo Ghilli
