Influence of Resident Education in Correctly Diagnosing Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Table 4
Rating of factors that impede a resident’s decision to perform a biopsy prior to excision.
General surgery
Orthopaedics
value
Factors impeding decision to perform a biopsy*
I have decreased access to persons performing needle biopsy
2.6 (1.5)
2.7 (1.5)
.43
I do not want to inconvenience the pathologist
1.6 (0.9)
1.5 (0.7)
.87
I have a lack of confidence in pathology to make a diagnosis on a FNA/core biopsy
2.5 (1.3)
3.0 (1.4)
<.001
I feel that whole specimen will lead to a more accurate diagnosis
3.5 (1.3)
3.7 (1.4)
.12
I feel that the likelihood of a soft tissue mass being malignant is low
3.2 (1.3)
2.8 (1.2)
<.001
I have concerns about the risks associated with biopsies
2.7 (1.4)
2.8 (1.3)
.42
I am not extensively trained on the use of biopsies in residency or fellowship
2.9 (1.5)
3.2 (1.5)
.02
All data presented as mean (±SD).
*Note: scores on the scale ranged from 1 to 6, with 1 indicating “Strongly Disagree” and 6 indicating “Strongly Agree.”
