Why do students choose careers in surgery?

Role models as a factor influencing career choice among female surgical residents in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Role models in the medical field are professional and experienced persons whose actions unconsciously inspire juniors to strive to be like them. To our knowledge, no studies have examined whether having a female surgical role model has influenced women to pursue a surgical career in Saudi Arabia. Hence, we sought to evaluate whether identifying role models in surgery influences career choice and defined the ideal qualities of a surgical role model as perceived by newly qualified doctors.

METHODS

We employed a cross-sectional, survey- based study design, conducted between June 2020 and January 2021, in which female surgical residents completed a questionnaire about their perceptions and influence of role models in general surgery specialty at the time they pursue a career in surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 51 respondents completed the questionnaire. The majority of them (78.4%) had a role model and (19.6%) indicated that their role model was a female. Of those who had a role model, (67.5%) agreed that they experienced a positive influence on their surgical career choice. Clinical and operation skills were reported as the most remarkable factor to be considered in their role models. Working directly with a male surgical consultant and female surgical residents imprinted a positive influence but this did not reach a statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this article contribute empirically to the strong effects of the same-sex role models and highlight the curial role of surgical residents in influencing female's career choices in general surgery as an achievable and attainable domain. Which encourage the creation of national mentorship programs and exploring more in barriers for pursuing a surgical career.

The Influence of an Acting or Subintern on Third-Year Medical School Surgery Clerkship Students

BACKGROUND

Previous reports demonstrated a positive relationship between the surgical clerkship and student likelihood of pursuing a surgical career, but no studies have examined the influence a peer has on comfort during a surgical clerkship. We hypothesized that a fourth-year acting intern (AI) would positively impact third-year medical students' experience during their surgical clerkship.

METHODS

All third-year medical students at our institution who completed their surgical clerkship in 2019 were surveyed regarding the preclerkship and postclerkship perceptions.

RESULTS

Of the 110 students surveyed, 52 responded (47.3% response rate), and 25 students (48.1%) reported having an AI during their clerkship rotation, and 27 did not (51.9%). Presence of an AI had no significant effect on the postclerkship perception of surgery, likelihood of pursuing general surgery, or comfort in the OR. Analysis of all responses demonstrated the surgery clerkship had no significant impact on students' perception of surgery or likelihood of pursuing general surgery but did statistically increase students' comfort in the OR.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that AI presence did not significantly influence a student's clerkship experience or comfort in the OR. Further studies are needed to determine what, if any effect, an AI could have on third-year clerkship students.

Broad-based general surgery training is a model of continued utility for the future

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Our program has emphasized broad-based training that potentially allows residents to pursue a variety of career paths, with or without additional surgical training. Diverse experiences have emphasized a variety of rotations, including a university hospital with a large trauma service, several tertiary private institutions, and suburban and rural experiences with private practitioners. Our faculty includes surgeons with both broad-based and narrowly focused practices. In light of duty-hour restrictions and proposed changes in surgical training, we assessed the results of this model over an extended period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The case volume from the Residency Review Committee (RRC) operative logs, ABSITE scores, ABS performance, fellowship training, and subsequent career choices were examined for all graduating chief residents in general surgery from our program over the past 17 years. The impact of specialty faculty was assessed and data from 5 index (aortic, major esophagogastric, liver, pancreatic, and pelvic resections) cases were also abstracted from the logs. A survey was then sent to all 208 of the 212 surgeons who had completed the program since 1971.

RESULTS

Of the 115 residents who completed training in the last 17 years, 60 pursued fellowship training and 55 went directly into general surgical practice in 20 states. Fifteen of the 29 residents who had an elective laboratory experience were among the 23 who remained in academic careers. The operative experience has been excellent (1090 +/- 42 total major; 240 +/- 21 surgeon chief). Experience did not vary, even though the number of graduating chiefs ranged from 5 to 8 per year, and there have been no deficiencies in RRC index cases. The addition of specialty faculty (n = 5) at various intervals promptly increased the volume of complex cases in pelvic, liver, pancreas, and vascular surgery. Since all residents promptly passed the ABS examinations, it was not possible to discern factors associated with Board performances other than broad-based training. The survey demonstrated that most continued to practice broad-based general surgery and believed that such training was highly relevant to their current practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The provision of broad-based training with generalists and specialty faculty has allowed for excellent breadth and depth in case volume. While many residents pursued fellowships, those who did not have indeed achieved successful careers. Most continue to practice general surgery, indicating the value of complete training in this field. It will be important to monitor these outcomes as changes in residency training occur.