An integrated vascular surgery residency program would increase interest among Saudi medical students in a career in vascular surgery

Abstract

Background and objectivesConsidering the absence of integrated vascular surgery residency programs in Saudi Arabia, and the need for planning training pathways, we aim to identify how many medical students are interested in vascular surgery, and the factors affecting students’ opinions on pursuing vascular surgery. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed to medical students nationwide via social media and email. Data were collected from 13 February 2022 to 1 March 2022. Results: A total of 408 students participated. Among them, 152 students were interested in general surgery, of which 103 were considering vascular surgery as a possible future fellowship. However, only 29 out of 408 (7.1%) students picked vascular surgery as their 1st choice. The main motivating factors for students to pursue vascular surgery as a career were: an interest in vascular cases (cardiovascular science), the use of emerging technologies, and the endovascular capabilities of vascular surgeons. The negative factors were simply a preference for another specialty, followed by a lack of experience in vascular surgery. Conclusion: This study reveals that only 7.1% of students consider vascular surgery their first choice. Both the lack of vascular surgeons and students’ experience in vascular surgery affected awareness levels. Interaction with vascular surgeons through virtual rotations for under-served medical schools and the introduction of vascular sciences within the cardiology blocks during basic science years are recommended strategies.