P. S. Virtanen1, L. Timsina1, T. Esposito2, G. Rozycki1, J. Hartwell1 2University of Illinois,Peoria, ILLINOIS, USA 1Indiana University School Of Medicine,General Surgery,Indianapolis, IN, USA
Introduction:
Prior studies have demonstrated that brief, early exposure of medical students to surgery is effective, creates positive perceptions of surgical career options and helps overcome negative stereotypes medical students may have of surgery . Opportunities for preclinical medical student (MS1, MS2) exposure to surgical careers are not universally available nor are the long term effects of such engagement well understood.
Methods:
Our institution’s Surgery Student Interest Group (SIG) created a trauma shadowing experience which included observation of rounds, trauma resuscitation, operative procedures and interactions with resident and attending staff. Students were recruited via a SIG website announcement and an on-line registration form. Follow-up electronic surveys were sent immediately after the experience to all participants (n=109). If one year had elapsed during the study period (December 2016-July 2018) since the shadowing experience, a 1-year follow up survey was sent (n=77). Data gathered included demographics, student perceptions about surgery, and the experience itself. Fisher’s exact tests and matched Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed.
Results:
Overall, 59 immediate surveys (54.1%) and 24 1-year follow up surveys (31.2%) were returned. Of the 59 immediate responses, 55.9% (n=33) were female, and 93.2% self-identified as MS1/MS2 (n=55). Of the immediate responses, 94.9% (n=56) would “definitely” or “somewhat” agree to recommend the experience to a peer. Significantly more immediate responders stated they were either “strongly considering” or “considering” a career in surgery after the experience compared to before the experience (69.5% vs 61.0%, p=0.012). This was particularly evident in female responders (72.7% vs 57.6%, p=0.0112). The experience was felt to be relevant to the career choice process by 94.9% of students immediately after and 92.2% at 1-year follow up (p=0.90). At immediate follow up, 96.6% (n=57) of students recalled a specific trauma team member who made a positive impression on them and this was sustained (87.5%, n=21) at 1-year follow up (p=0.142).
Conclusions:
Student participants reported a positive impact on their perceptions of, and were significantly more likely to consider, a career in surgery after the shadowing experience. Student recall of the personal connection made to the trauma team is sustained over a 1-year period. Early, informal shadowing experiences may increase interest in surgical careers, particularly for female students, and this engagement appears to be sustained over time.