Serve Coffee, Hold Clamps, Do Not Complain: Student Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Prevalent stereotypes of surgeons and surgical clerkships among medical students.
• Half of students anticipate negative experiences during the surgery clerkship, often related to hierarchy and language.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate medical students' perceptions and experiences of the surgery clerkship and surgeons.
• To assess changes in career interest post-clerkship.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous pre-post survey administered to two cohorts of medical students (n=145 pre, n=101 post).
• Surveys conducted 6 weeks before and immediately after the surgery clerkship.

Main Results:

• Initial interest in surgical careers was 21%, rising to 50% post-clerkship (p<0.001).
• 55% of students expected negative treatment pre-clerkship; only 13% reported negative experiences (poor supervision, feedback) post-clerkship.
• The surgery clerkship significantly increased interest in surgical careers.

Conclusions:

• The surgery clerkship effectively challenges negative stereotypes and increases interest in surgical careers.
• Addressing poor supervision and feedback is crucial for fostering a positive learning environment.
• Positive clerkship experiences can mitigate pre-existing prejudices about surgery.