The Academic Surgery Program, P.C., is proposed as one solution to the problem of providing independent experience for surgical residents. Four years ago a group of supervising surgeons was incorporated to maintain a separate service for the senior resident. Offices are provided within the hospital in the same setting as other private offices. A member of the resident staff is designated the primary surgeon and a member of the corporation, the supervising surgeon.
Assignment of patients is not on an economic basis; the twofold result is elimination of the stigma of a "charity" service and of economic competition between the private service and the resident service.
Four years' experience has met with success in all aspects of the program, providing the resident with well-rounded experience in preparation for independent patient care.