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Developing a Novel Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Program for Medical Students
Jhillika Patel1, Jomar Aryee, Jason Yang
1From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ.
Introduction:
Early exposure to surgical specialties markedly affects medical students' career interests and preparedness. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program in fostering interest, enhancing knowledge, and building mentorship connections among medical students.
Methods:
The program targeted rising 2nd-year medical students and provided surgical and clinical shadowing, academic lectures, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities. A mixed-methods approach was used, including pre- and postprogram surveys analyzed for quantitative and qualitative data. Participants self-reported knowledge, skills, and career intentions using Likert scales. Changes in responses were assessed using paired t -tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Results:
Three years of programming were successfully completed, and survey results were provided for the later 2 programming years, including 2023 summer and 2024 summer. Among 20 survey participants' self-reported knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology, and pathology increased from 4/10 pre-program to 8/10 postprogram ( P < 0.001). Subjective confidence in reading radiographic images (4/10 to 9/10, P < 0.001) and performing basic orthopaedic physical examinations (3/10 to 7/10, P < 0.001) also improved. Students' self-reported operating room etiquette and fundamental surgical principles improved from 5/10 to 8/10 ( P < 0.001). Interest in pursuing orthopaedic surgery rose from 50% preprogram to 95% postprogram. Participants rated program effectiveness as 10/10 and 85% reported connecting with at least one potential mentor.
Conclusion:
The Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program markedly enhanced participants' self-reported knowledge, skills, and career intentions in orthopaedics. Statistically significant improvements in educational outcomes and mentorship highlight the program's value as a replicable model for introducing medical students to orthopaedic surgery and addressing gaps in early musculoskeletal education.
