Papers by Barbara Pettitt
Journal of Surgical Education, Nov 1, 2020
OBJECTIVE: To determine if longitudinal, excellent clinical performance reflected in subjective e... more OBJECTIVE: To determine if longitudinal, excellent clinical performance reflected in subjective evaluations during a surgery clerkship would be associated with a greater likelihood of National Board of Medical Examiners Surgery Shelf Exam ("shelf exam") success. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed medical students' surgical clerkship performance from 2014 to 2019. Clinical evaluations for each rotation were abstracted and students were stratified by performance: excellent performers and non-excellent performers. The rotation performance grades were then combined to classify overall clerkship performance: sustained excellent performers, improved performers, worsened performers, and sustained non-excellent performers. We compared the shelf exam scores between performer class for each clinical rotation and the overall clerkship. Using logistic regression, we also sought to determine if clinical performance predicted passing the shelf exam.
Journal of Surgical Education, 2020
To provide a framework for a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical student ... more To provide a framework for a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical student educators that introduces and teaches clinical concepts important in urology and surgical specialties in general. We created a 1-week virtual urology course utilizing interactive lectures, case-based exercises, and faculty-proctored surgical video reviews. Students were assigned self-study modules and participated in case-based discussions and presentations on a topic of their choice. Students' perceptions of urology as a specialty and the utility of the course was evaluated through pre- and postcourse surveys. Understanding of urologic content was evaluated with a multiple-choice exam. A total of nine students were enrolled in the course. All students reported increased understanding of the common urologic diagnoses and of urology as a specialty by an average of 2.5 points on a 10-point Likert scale (Cohen's measure of effect size: 3.2). Additionally, 56% of students reported increased interest, 22% reported no change and 22% reported a decreased interest in pursuing urology as a specialty following the course. Students self-reported increased knowledge of a variety of urologic topics on a 10-point Likert scale. The average exam score on the multiple-choice exam improved from 50% before the course to 89% after the course. Various teaching techniques can be employed through a virtual platform to introduce medical students to the specialty of urology and increase clinical knowledge surrounding common urologic conditions. As the longevity of the COVID-19 pandemic becomes increasingly apparent and virtual teaching is normalized, these techniques can have far-reaching utility within the traditional medical student surgical curriculum.
Journal of Surgical Research, Feb 1, 2022
Introduction On March 17, 2020 the AAMC recommended dismissal of medical students from clinical s... more Introduction On March 17, 2020 the AAMC recommended dismissal of medical students from clinical settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Third-year (M3) and fourth-year (M4) medical students were at home, M4s were interested in teaching, and residents and faculty had fewer clinical responsibilities due to elective surgery cancellations. To continue M3 access to education, we created a virtual surgery elective (VSE) that aimed to broaden students’ exposure to, and elicit interest in, general surgery (GS). Methods Faculty, surgical residents, and M4s collaborated to create a two-week VSE focusing on self-directed learning and direct interactions with surgery faculty. Each day was dedicated to a specific pathology commonly encountered in GS. A variety of teaching methods were employed including self-directed readings and videos, M4 peer lectures, case-based learning and operative video review with surgery faculty, and weekly surgical conferences. A VSE skills lab was also conducted to teach basic suturing and knot-tying. All lectures and skills labs were via Zoom videoconference (Zoom Video Communications Inc). A post-course anonymous survey sent to all participants assessed changes in their understanding of GS and their interest in GS and surgery overall. Results Fourteen M3s participated in this elective over two consecutive iterations. The survey response rate was 79%. Ninety-one percent of students believed the course met its learning objectives “well” or “very well.” Prior to the course, 27% reported a “good understanding” and 0% a “very good” understanding of GS. Post-course, 100% reported a “good” or “very good” understanding of GS, a statistically significant increase (p=0.0003). Eighty-two percent reported increased interest in GS and 64% reported an increase in pursuing GS as a career (Table 1). Conclusion As proof of concept, this online course successfully demonstrated virtual medical student education can increase student understanding of GS topics, increase interest in GS, and increase interest in careers in surgery. To broaden student exposure to GS, we plan to integrate archived portions of this course into the regular third-year surgery clerkship and these can also be used to introduce GS in the preclinical years.
American Journal of Surgery, Apr 1, 2005
Background: This study describes the personal concerns of third-year medical students beginning t... more Background: This study describes the personal concerns of third-year medical students beginning their surgical clerkship. To assess these needs, we studied the expectations, interests, and concerns of beginning surgical clerks. Methods: Beginning surgical clerks during the 2002-2003 academic year were invited to respond to a written survey. Responses were categorized into domains of interest and domains of concern. Analysis controlled for prior surgical experience, interest in a surgical career, and academic term. Results: The response rate was 83%. Students were most curious about surgical practice, technical skills, and issues of lifestyle/balance among surgeons. Students were most concerned about fatigue, long hours, potential mental abuse, and poor performance. Differences between groups are described. Conclusions: Beginning surgical clerks have questions and concerns about topics often not addressed in the curriculum or syllabus. This study suggests the nature of improvements that could assist the inexperienced student in creating a positive clerkship experience and guiding their choice of career.
Journal of Surgical Education, May 1, 2021
OBJECTIVE: To provide a framework for a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic for medic... more OBJECTIVE: To provide a framework for a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical student educators that introduces and teaches clinical concepts important in urology and surgical specialties in general. METHODS: We created a 1-week virtual urology course utilizing interactive lectures, case-based exercises, and faculty-proctored surgical video reviews. Students were assigned self-study modules and participated in casebased discussions and presentations on a topic of their choice. Students' perceptions of urology as a specialty and the utility of the course was evaluated through preand postcourse surveys. Understanding of urologic content was evaluated with a multiple-choice exam. RESULTS: A total of nine students were enrolled in the course. All students reported increased understanding of the common urologic diagnoses and of urology as a specialty by an average of 2.5 points on a 10-point Likert scale (Cohen's measure of effect size: 3.2). Additionally, 56% of students reported increased interest, 22% reported no change and 22% reported a decreased interest in pursuing urology as a specialty following the course. Students self-reported increased knowledge of a variety of urologic topics on a 10-point Likert scale. The average exam score on the multiple-choice exam improved from 50% before the course to 89% after the course. CONCLUSIONS: Various teaching techniques can be employed through a virtual platform to introduce medical students to the specialty of urology and increase clinical knowledge surrounding common urologic
Journal of Surgical Research, Apr 1, 2014
Conclusions: Ethical issues are commonly confronted during GHEs in surgery and differ from domest... more Conclusions: Ethical issues are commonly confronted during GHEs in surgery and differ from domestic clinical encounters. Healthcare ethics curriculum should be designed to meet the needs of medical students involved in global health.
American Surgeon, May 5, 2023
This historical retrospective explores the history of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis from its init... more This historical retrospective explores the history of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis from its initial observations to the first surgical approaches to modern understandings of pathogenesis. The important work of Hirschsprung, Fredet, and Ramstedt remains a foundational part of management for this complex condition.
Journal of The American College of Surgeons, Sep 1, 2006
Journal of Surgical Research, 2013
Journal of Surgical Research, Feb 1, 2013
Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 179, Issue 2, Pages 340, February 2013, Authors:B. Martin; S... more Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 179, Issue 2, Pages 340, February 2013, Authors:B. Martin; S. Kapadia; L. Hugar; I. Leeds; MP Chery; P. Laguerre; B. Pettitt; C. Sullivan; J. Pattaras; VA Master; J. Srinivasan; J. Sharma.
The American Journal of Surgery
Journal of Surgical Research
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Objective To develop and evaluate a virtual otolaryngology medical student elective created durin... more Objective To develop and evaluate a virtual otolaryngology medical student elective created during the COVID-19 crisis with the intention of teaching the basic tenets of otolaryngology and increasing exposure to the specialty. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Emory University School of Medicine. Methods A 1-week virtual otolaryngology curriculum was offered to third- and fourth-year medical students that centered on the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s handbook Primary Care in Otolaryngology (fourth edition). The course covered a variety of topics and was conducted remotely via online video conferencing software. We applied multiple teaching modalities and surveyed students regarding the effectiveness of the course. Mixed methods analysis was employed to analyze the course data. Results Twelve students participated; 67% reported their baseline precourse understanding of otolaryngology in the “poor-fair” range. After the course, 92% of...
Journal of Vascular Surgery
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Pediat Surg Int, 1992
A patient undergoing abdominal exploration for right lower quadrant pain had right ovarian torsio... more A patient undergoing abdominal exploration for right lower quadrant pain had right ovarian torsion and an absent uterus. This first reported case of ovarian torsion associated with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Ktister-Hauser syndrome is presented and this rare syndrome reviewed.
Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care, 2014
ABSTRACT Patients with gastrojejunostomy strictures following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can presen... more ABSTRACT Patients with gastrojejunostomy strictures following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can present with pain, nausea, dysphagia, and nutritional deficiencies. In our experience, most strictures can be treated with a combination of endoscopy and medical therapy, without the need for surgical revision. The ability to characterize the acuity of strictures as well as its morphology can guide subsequent therapy. Follow-up therapy after initial presentation is critical to avoid development of symptom chronicity, which can be the most difficult aspect to treat for both clinician and patient. Smoking and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use continue to be the main contributors of this condition. The management of these issues requires patience, astute follow-up, and a systematic approach, which has been outlined.
Jama the Journal of the American Medical Association, 1980
A propsective study of 60 children with appendicitis suggested a correlation between the length o... more A propsective study of 60 children with appendicitis suggested a correlation between the length of symptoms prior to perforation and the level of appendiceal obstruction. These observations support the concept that obstruction of the appendiceal lumen near its tip leads to early perforation, while obstruction near the base leads to late perforation.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
This review of literature on surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy includes a discussi... more This review of literature on surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy includes a discussion of the criteria for determining the appropriateness of surgical therapy in the cerebral palsied child and descriptions of the major types of procedures performed.
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Papers by Barbara Pettitt