SE08 STUDENTS PERSPECTIVES OF A SURGICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Abstract

Background The purpose of the undergraduate surgical education program is to prepare students for their internship and eventual vocational practice. It is also an opportunity to sow the seeds of a possible career in surgery.Methods In order to understand students’ perspective of their surgical program and the various factors which might impact on their learning, and the possibility of their choosing a career in surgery, a structured questionnaire was given to the 2006 cohort of final year medical students at the University of Melbourne.Results Responses were received from 260 of the 285 students (91%). Bedside teaching, small group tutorials and clinical skills workshops were regarded as the most appropriate methods for learning surgery, with bedside teaching and the operating theatre (when surgeons were willing to teach) considered to provide the greatest learning opportunities. The most significant barriers were lack of anatomy teaching and lack of formal surgical teaching and difficulties accessing surgeons willing to undertaking teaching. 25% did not feel adequately prepared for the surgical components of their internship. 32% were considering a career in surgery and lifestyle factors and poor experience with surgeons were given as some of the reasons for lack of interest in surgery. Increase in anatomy teaching throughout the course, and more bedside and formal teaching were considered the most significant ways to improve the course.Conclusion Surgical education is at a crossroads and the findings of this study have important messages for preparing the future workforce and will be discussed.