Preparing for Surgery Observerships During Medical School: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Observerships are crucial self-organized clinical experiences for medical students.
• Understanding student preparation methods for surgery observerships is vital for optimizing educational outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the experiences and preparation strategies of first and second-year medical students undertaking surgery observerships.
• To identify common preparation resources and reasons for participation in these observerships.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to preclerkship medical students at Queen's University.
• Data collected included observership types, preparation resources utilized, and motivations for participation.
• Descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA were used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Over 70% of respondents were female, and 82.8% participated in at least one surgery observership.
• General Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Orthopedic Surgery were the most common observership types.
• Students frequently cited future opportunities and career exploration as reasons for participation; 64.2% prepared, using class notes and online videos, associating preparation with positive experiences.

Conclusions:

• Preparation for surgery observerships positively impacts the learning experience for medical students.
• A significant gap exists in the provision of structured preparation resources and guidance.
• Developing targeted resources could enhance observership experiences and potentially foster greater interest in surgical careers.