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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Step By Step: Microsurgical training method combining two nonliving animal models
Published on: May 9, 2015
Innovative introduction to surgery in the preclinical years
Jonathan Riboh1, Myriam Curet, Thomas Krummel
1Department of Surgery, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr. H3591, Stanford, CA 94305-5641, USA.
Background:
Lack of exposure to surgery in the preclinical years of medical school contributes to students' negative opinions of the field and to low application rates to categorical surgical programs.
Methods:
Forty preclinical medical students attended a series of 16 seminars and practice sessions covering the gamut of surgical specialties and basic technical skills. Students were given a Likert format survey before and after taking the course.
Results:
Students gave high ratings to course content (4.26/5) and lecturers (4.54/5). Students' confidence in their surgical skills doubled (1.45/5 to 3/5, P < .0001), and their perceived readiness for the surgical clerkship increased by 73% (1.63/5 to 2.82/5, P = .007).
Conclusions:
The preclinical years offer a promising venue for improving medical student interest and performance in surgery.
