1
|
Arismendi T, Schaper N, Falkenhain A, Karabetsos KC, Syed A, Branch R, Moreno M, Pickney C, Obayi I, Lucas SJ, González E, Graves A, Kauffman B, Maningat A, Zielke T, Nam J, Soult MC, Aziz F, Bose S, Smeds MR. Fourth-Year Medical Students' Perceptions of Vascular Surgery: Can We Improve the Pipeline? Ann Vasc Surg 2023; 97:147-156. [PMID: 37495096 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.07.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since their inception, Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency (IVSR) programs have expanded widely and attracted highly competitive medical students by offering a more focused approach to learning both open surgical and endovascular techniques. However, despite substantial modifications to the training paradigm, a shortage of vascular surgeons is still projected through 2050. We aimed to gather and analyze fourth-year medical students' knowledge and perceptions of vascular surgery (VS) to further inform strategies for recruiting future vascular surgeons. METHODS We sent anonymous electronic questionnaires to fourth-year medical students at 7 allopathic and 3 osteopathic medical schools, with questions detailing demographics, specialty preferences, and exposure to and perceptions of VS. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and responses were compared between students applying to surgical specialties (SS) and nonsurgical specialties (NSS). RESULTS Two hundred eleven of 1,764 (12%) participants responded (56% female). 56% reported VS exposure, most commonly during the third year. 64 (30%) planned to apply to SS. 57% of respondents reported knowledge of the management of vascular disease, and 56% understood procedures performed by vascular surgeons. Ranking the importance of factors in choosing specialties, SS selected "experiences gained during medical school rotations" (P < 0.05), "types and/or variety of treatment modalities used in this field" (P < 0.001), and "interest in the pathology or disease processes treated" (P < 0.05) as highest priorities. NSS preferred "lifestyle (work-life balance) as an attending" (P < 0.001). Only 7% of all respondents believed vascular surgeons have a good work-life balance, with a larger percentage of SS (P < 0.001) agreeing. Stratified by gender, female students rated "limited ability of childbirth during residency and/or postponement of family plans" (P < 0.05), "gender-related concerns, such as discrimination at work or unfair career possibilities" (P < 0.001), and "fear of unfair competition" (P < 0.05) as potential negative aspects of VS careers. 55% of respondents believed the IVSR makes VS more appealing. CONCLUSIONS Medical students perceive poor quality of life and work-life balance as deterring factors to a career in VS. Opportunities exist to educate students on the pathologies treated, procedures performed, and attainable quality of life available in our field. We should also continue to develop recruitment strategies to stimulate student interest and increase early exposure in VS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ali Syed
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Rheyana Branch
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Marvi Moreno
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
| | - Cole Pickney
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Ikpechukwu Obayi
- City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Spencer J Lucas
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
| | | | - Aaron Graves
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO
| | | | - Alexandra Maningat
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, San Antonio, TX
| | - Tara Zielke
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Janice Nam
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Michael C Soult
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Faisal Aziz
- Penn State College of Medicine, State College, PA
| | - Saideep Bose
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO; Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
| | - Matthew R Smeds
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO; Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Arismendi T, Schaper N, Bose S, Karabetsos KC, Syed A, Branch R, Moreno M, Pickney C, Obayi I, Lucas SJ, González E, Graves A, Kauffman B, Maningat A, Zielke T, Nam J, Soult M, Aziz F, Smeds MR. Fourth Year Medical Students’ Perceptions Of Vascular Surgery: Can We Improve The Pipeline? Ann Vasc Surg 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2022.12.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|