Challenges and influencing factors in hand surgery subspecialty training: a nationwide survey of orthopedic…

StudyActa orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica· May 2025

Challenges and influencing factors in hand surgery subspecialty training: a nationwide survey of orthopedic, plastic, and hand surgery residents in Türkiye.

Muhammet Okkan, İbrahim Çaltıner, Anıl Tarık Saygılı … Melih Bağır

Hand & Peripheral NerveStudyQ2IF 1.7

One-third of hand surgery trainees in Türkiye considered quitting their program.

Challenges and influencing factors in hand surgery subspecialty training: a nationwide survey of orthopedic, plastic, and hand surgery residents in Türkiye.

Muhammet Okkan … Melih Bağır

Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica · May 2025 · Q2 in Surgery

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the decisions of orthopedic and plastic surgery residents in Türkiye regarding their pursuit of a subspecialty in hand surgery, as well as to evaluate the challenges faced during hand surgery training.

Methods

A national survey was conducted among residents in orthopedic and trauma surgery (n=92), plastic surgery (n=84), and hand surgery (n=12).

n = 92

Results

33.3%

a third of hand surgery trainees have considered quitting their program

n = 92

More results

The analysis revealed a negative correlation between the high volume of emergency hand surgery cases and residents' inclination toward the subspecialty (r=-0.217, P < .05).

More results

Theoretical training was significantly linked to enhanced hand surgery knowledge and skills (r=0.213, P < .05), whereas the lack of adequate training infrastructure negatively affected residents' experience (r=0.390, P < .05).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

The findings indicate a need to enhance both the theoretical and practical aspects of hand surgery training in Türkiye.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

By addressing financial and workload-related concerns, improving clinical exposure, and expanding access to microsurgical tools and training resources, it may be possible to increase interest in the subspecialty and ensure a sustainable workforce of hand surgeons in the future.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Level of Evidence: N/A.

Challenges and influencing factors in hand surgery subspecialty training: a nationwide survey of orthopedic, plastic, and hand surgery residents in Türkiye.

Challenges and influencing factors in hand surgery subspecialty training: a nationwide survey of orthopedic, plastic, and hand surgery residents in Türkiye.

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