432 What Are the Promoting and Discouraging Factors for Choosing A Career in Surgery According to Undergraduate Medical Students in A District General Hospital? A Questionnaire and Review of The Literature

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The aim was to identify which factors promote and discourage undergraduate medical students, based in a district general hospital, for choosing a career in surgery. A review of the current literature on this topic was undertaken in conjunction with the questionnaire. Method An online structured questionnaire was sent to all undergraduate clinical medical students based in Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH), a teaching DGH. As well as the questionnaire, a systematic review of the literature was conducted on EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar using key search terms to review factors that influenced surgical career choices. Results The response rate was 46% (44/95). 75% of students rated variety of work, intellectually interesting and environment as the most important factors for their future careers. Status, financial rewards, and research opportunities were least important influences for respondents’ career decision making. A systematic literature review highlights that lifestyle factors, work-life balance were particularly important, perceived prestige and financial rewards were associated surgical career choices amongst medical students. Conclusions Multiple factors influence medical students career decision making and it is important to identify these factors for many reasons. Further research is recommended to further explore medical students’ perceptions on promoting and discouraging factors for surgical careers.