Simulation experience enhances medical students' interest in cardiothoracic surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Cardiothoracic Surgery Training

Background:

• Declining applications to cardiothoracic surgery training programs necessitate innovative recruitment strategies.
• Medical student interest in cardiothoracic surgery is crucial for program sustainability.
• This study investigates the impact of simulator-based training on student interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of mentored cardiothoracic simulator instruction in enhancing medical students' interest in cardiothoracic surgery.
• To assess changes in attitudes toward cardiothoracic surgery as a career choice.
• To determine if simulation training influences clerkship rotation selection.

Main Methods:

• Recruited first- and second-year medical students from a surgery interest group.
• Provided mentored instruction using high-fidelity cardiothoracic simulators.
• Administered pre- and post-simulation assessments on attitudes toward simulation and surgical specialties.

Main Results:

• Post-simulation, 61% of students expressed interest in cardiothoracic surgery, a significant increase from baseline (p = 0.001).
• Interest in thoracic surgery clerkship rotations rose from 18% to 39% after simulation training.
• The increase in interest was particularly pronounced among female participants.

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity surgical simulators are effective for introducing medical students to cardiothoracic surgery.
• Moderated simulator sessions improve attitudes toward cardiothoracic surgery careers.
• Surgical simulation shows promise as a recruitment tool for cardiothoracic surgery.