Basic Surgical Skills Training Influences Career Choices of Medical Undergraduates

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the implementation of basic surgical skills training to medical undergraduates affects the attitudes of students to surgery and to assess if it makes surgery a more attractive career option. Methods: An unbiased convenience sample of third year medical students was recruited for the basic surgical skills training. Modified questionnaires already in use were utilised to evaluate the perception of students to the course and to assess if it made surgery a more attractive career option for them. Results: 12 third year medical students began and finished the skills training course successfully. Over 90% of students believed it essential that newly qualified doctors should be able to suture, scrub up adequately and adhere to sterile procedure. 91.7% of students believed it should be a component of the medical undergraduate curriculum and 100% believed this course made surgery a more attractive career option for them. Conclusion: This study shows that medical students view the incorporation of basic surgical skills training into the medical undergraduate curriculum favourably. Surgical skills training make surgery a more attractive career option for students.