Unlocking the How and Why: Qualitative Research in Surgery episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 2, 2026 · 38 MIN

Unlocking the How and Why: Qualitative Research in Surgery

from Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast · host Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast

In surgery, when we think of research, often we picture randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and big data sets. But have you ever considered what we might miss by limiting our research programs to quantitative inquiry? What if you want to understand the culture or identity of your department or your training program? Or, what If you want to understand the values, priorities, and lived experiences of your patients? Some of the most meaningful insights about how we teach, learn, and practice surgery come from talking to people. Their words, their stories, and their experiences, and that's where qualitative research comes in. In this episode we dive into the “why” and “how” of qualitative research with leaders in the space, Professor Nicole Perez and Dr. Maya Hunt.Host:  Steven Thornton, MD (General Surgery Resident at Duke University)Guests: Nicole Perez (Assistant Professor of Medical Education, University of Illinois Chicago) Maya Hunt (General Surgery Resident, Indiana University) Publications Discussed: Bosk CL. Forgive and Remember: Managing Medical Failure. The University of ChicagoPress; 2011.  Liang et al 2019 Why do women leave surgical training? A qualitative and feminist study, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32612-6 Jenkins TM. Doctors’ Orders: the Making of Status Hierarchies in an Elite Profession. Columbia University Press; 2020.  Yosso, T. J. (2005). Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth. Race Ethnicity and Education, 8(1), 69–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/1361332052000341006 ***Fellowship Application Link: https://forms.gle/QSUrR2GWHDZ1MmWC6Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium:General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlasDominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkshipDominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotationVascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewColorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewSurgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-reviewCardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewDownload our App:Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US

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