Students teaching students: A survey of a medical student led surgical skills workshop - A prospective cohort study

Swapnil D Kachare,Christina Kapsalis,Angelica Yun,Milind D Kachare,Jared Davis,Dexter Weeks,Joyce Jhang,Bradon J Wilhelmi,Morton L Kasdan

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.05.034

Abstract

BackgroundSurgical skills training is a recognized vital component of medical education, yet a standardized curriculum does not exist. Early opportunities for skills development and mentorship may increase student interest in pursuing surgery. We evaluated the effects of a student-led, faculty-supervised suture clinic on student comfort level with basic surgical skills and interest in surgery. MethodsA cohort survey study of 103 second-year medical students participating in a surgical skills course was performed between the years 2016–2018. Upon completion of the course, we assessed their comfort level with performing six basic skills as well as their interest in pursuing surgery based on pre- and post-course surveys. ResultsMean age was 25 years and 50.5% were female. Most students (61.2%) had no prior suturing experience. Upon completion of the course, there was a significant improvement (p = < 0.0001) in comfort level for each of the six skills. Most students (81%) reported an increased interest in surgery. ConclusionsEarly implementation of a basic skills workshop can augment student comfort level and promote an interest in surgery. Peer student mentors can effectively lead the workshop and minimize the time commitment needed by surgical faculty. This can serve as a new direction in medical education and an avenue for further studies to analyze the longitudinal effects of the curriculum on career choice and success in surgical residency.

Highlights

Role models, mentors, and early operative exposure are critical in attracting students to a career in surgery [1,2,3,4,5]
Most students (61.2%) did not have prior suturing experience, the majority of students had previously scrubbed into an operative procedure (65%)
We demonstrated that second year medical students who were provided dedicated procedural training and access to surgical mentors had a significantly increased comfort in performing basic skills and an increased interest in pursuing a surgical career

Summary

Introduction

Mentors, and early operative exposure are critical in attracting students to a career in surgery [1,2,3,4,5]. Medical students are twice as likely to be interested in surgery if they have a positive surgical role model [5] Both faculty-led and peer-assisted surgical skills workshops targeted toward medical students increase their interest in pursuing a surgical career [1,3]. According to a survey study, the average first year surgery resident is underprepared to competently and safely perform basic technical skills such as suturing [15]. Peer student mentors can effectively lead the workshop and minimize the time commitment needed by surgical faculty This can serve as a new direction in medical education and an avenue for further studies to analyze the longitudinal effects of the curriculum on career choice and success in surgical residency

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Conclusion