Assessment of public knowledge about the scope of practice of vascular surgons

Abstract

During the past decade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of vascular procedures performed in the United States. Due to the increase in the size of the aging population, this trend is predicted to continue. Despite this, general public knowledge about vascular surgery appears low. This gap may significantly affect the success of vascular surgery as a specialty. To objectively define knowledge about vascular surgery, we administered a questionnaire to both a sample of the general population and medical students. The Vascular Surgery Knowledge Questionnaire (VSQ), a 58-item multiple choice survey, was designed to assess knowledge about the field of vascular surgery, including types of procedures commonly performed, presenting illnesses, training, and financial compensation. VSQ was tested for reliability and validity. It was administered to a sample of the general population (GP) and first year medical students (MS) via a random digit dial telephone survey and a paper-based survey, respectively. VSQ Score was derived by calculating the percent of questions from the 38-item, non-demographic part of the questionnaire answered correctly and expressed in numerical form. The maximum score possible was 100. Statistical analysis was used to assess differences in VSQ scores. Two hundred GP and 160 MS subjects completed the questionnaire. The mean VSQ score for GP and MS groups was 54 and 67 (P < .01), respectively. Forty-one percent of the GP group received a score of less than 50. Only 50% of the GP and 51% of MS cohorts agreed with the statement that vascular surgeons perform procedures on all blood vessels with the exception of the heart and brain. Just 24% of the GP group agreed with the statement that vascular surgeons treat patients with wounds that do not heal. Finally, only half of the GP group agreed that vascular surgeons treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. The GP cohort significantly underestimated the average length of postgraduate training (five years) to become a vascular surgeon. Level of education, income, and residence in the Western states significantly correlated with higher scores. General population subjects who admitted to knowing a vascular surgeon received similar scores to those who did not (58 vs. 53, P >.05). These findings support our hypothesis that there is a significant knowledge deficit among both the general population and medical students about the field of vascular surgery. This has protean implications for the future of our specialty and public health in the United States.

A Third-Year Surgery Clerkship With Extensive Exposure to Vascular Surgery Improves Knowledge About Vascular Disease and the Role of Vascular Surgeons in its Management

“…The VSQ is an instrument based on a previously validated survey. 6 It consisted of 56 questions (53 multiple choice and 3 short answer): 7 questions evaluated demographic information, 11 questions assessed the degree of student participation in the clerkship, 7 questions graded student experience during the rotation and interest in vascular surgery as a career, and 31 questions assessed knowledge of vascular disease and the role of the vascular surgeon in its management (Appendix, online only).…”

“…5 In addition, there exists a significant knowledge deficit about the role of the vascular surgeon as the caregiver in managing patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). 6 This knowledge deficit is present among the general population and may have a significant effect on how vascular surgeons are viewed by the public, the media, regulatory agencies, and other medical specialists. It also extends to medical students and may contribute to low interest in the choice of vascular surgery as a future career.…”

“…[7][8][9] We hypothesized that systematic exposure of medical students to vascular surgery may increase knowledge of both PVD and the role of the vascular surgeon in managing this spectrum of diseases. To test our hypothesis, we administered the Vascular Surgery Knowledge Questionnaire (VSQ), a previously validated survey, 6 to medical students immediately before and after their third-year surgery clerkship. We also evaluated factors that affect student interest in vascular surgery as a career.…”

Endovascular Training of Vascular Surgeons in the USA

“…In one report, only about 50% of medical students knew that vascular surgeons operate on blood vessels, and only 24% knew that vascular surgeons treat non-healing wounds. 15) For motivating medical students to consider vascular surgery, different initiatives are required to expose them to vascular surgery. Some opportunities might include sponsoring medical students to attend national vascular meetings, including vascular surgery in introductory level medical classes, and sponsoring medical students' awards and presentations.…”

The Need for Questionnaires in Vascular Surgery: The Paradigm of Carotid Revascularization. A Joint Survey By The International Society For Vascular Surgery (ISVS) and the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS)

“…6 In another study, with the help of a questionnaire, Farber and colleagues showed a significant knowledge deficit among both the general population and medical students about the field of vascular surgery and, in particular, the daily work of a vascular surgeon. 7 All of these examples provide the necessary feedback for vascular surgical societies to create or adjust the course of their future strategies. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the ESVS have both recently published guidelines for the management of carotid artery atherosclerosis.…”