Students' interest in becoming a general surgeon before and after a surgical clerkship in German-speaking Switzerland

The proportion of medical graduates entering a surgical career in Switzerland, as well as in most Western countries, is declining. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the factors influencing medical students when choosing a career in surgery and to identify the impact of a surgical clerkship.

Between February 2007 and July 2007, fifth- to seventh-year medical students at 15 adult surgical departments in German-speaking Switzerland were asked to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey was distributed at the beginning of the clerkship (T1) with a re-evaluation after its conclusion (T2). It included questions concerning career plans, the anticipated conditions at the workplace, lifestyle in residency and as a board-certified physician, and the perception of surgery.

A total of 185/344 (53.8%) medical students participated in the study. Prolonged working hours during the surgical training period compared to those of other specialties was the only significant predictor for not choosing general surgery as the future field of work (p = 0.02). After the clerkship, medical students rated the possibility of combining professional and personal life, and engaging in a hobby during specialty training in surgery significantly higher (p <0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). The specialty was named by 33% further students as one of their top three career choices.

A surgical clerkship might have a positive impact on the choice of a surgical career. As there might be a shortage of surgeons in the future, lifestyle as the main impediment for choosing a surgical career should be kept in mind.