An analysis of preclinical students' perceptions of cardiothoracic surgical procedures

Interest in cardiothoracic surgery training has decreased, and there is a predicted shortage of 1,500 cardiothoracic surgeons by 2020. This study aims to analyze the attitudes toward cardiothoracic surgery of premedical and medical students in the preclinical years.

An anonymous electronic survey assessing interest in the cardiothoracic surgery field was sent to preclinical medical students and interviewees at the University of Michigan Medical School in 2010. Respondents were analyzed as a single population (N=566) and then compared in premedical (n=460) and medical student (n=106) groups. Responses were compared using independent-sample t tests.

Forty-six percent of respondents were women. Surgical specialty was ranked the top field of interest. Ninety-four percent reported intellectual interest, and 70% listed lifestyle as important factors when considering a specialty. Ninety-two percent of respondents were unaware of the new integrated training programs. Just 4% had had previous mentorship from a cardiothoracic surgeon. In group comparison, salary and lifestyle were of greater concern to the medical group than the premedical group (salary, 47% vs 33%; p<0.01; lifestyle, 78% vs 68%; p<0.05, respectively). Given the ability to achieve one's personal goals, the premedical group was more interested in cardiothoracic surgery than was the medical group (88% vs 76%; p<0.05).

Cardiothoracic surgeons may be better served by aiming their recruiting and mentoring efforts toward premedical students, who are more open to longer training, less concerned about lifestyle and salary, and are generally more interested in pursuing thoracic surgery than are medical students.