The Surgical Skills and Technology Elective Program and Medical Student Career Choice.

Abstract

The Surgical Skills and Technology Elective Program (SSTEP) is a bootcamp for preclinical medical students that uses simulation learning methodology to provide exposure to procedural specialties and enhance surgical skills. Despite the widespread adoption of similar bootcamps, evidence is lacking regarding their impact on students' decision to pursue surgical/procedural careers. This exploratory analysis consisted of a retrospective, cross-sectional assessment of SSTEP involving a survey examining engagement during clerkship rotations and career decision-making was sent to all SSTEP participants since the program's inception (n=184). In addition, publicly available data through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) were used to compare match data between all SSTEP participants who have participated in the CaRMS match (n=144) and students in corresponding years who did not participate in SSTEP (n=351). Seventy-four SSTEP participants (40.2%) responded to the survey. Of the respondents, the majority agreed or strongly agreed that SSTEP influenced participants to engage in more procedural opportunities during clerkship (73%) and that they felt more confident performing procedural tasks during clerkship because of SSTEP (92%). Fifty percent of participants agreed that their anxiety decreased regarding clinical specialty decision. Thirty percent of participants indicated that SSTEP influenced them to pursue a procedural career. Examination of CaRMS data showed that 42% of SSTEP participants matched into direct-entry procedural specialties compared with 32% of non-SSTEP graduating medical students at our institution (P=0.048). Our analysis supports the utility of preclerkship surgical bootcamps. By providing early exposure to procedural skills, SSTEP promoted engagement with procedural skills during clerkship. Participation in SSTEP influenced student career choice, which may have contributed to the increased match rate into procedural specialties for SSTEP participants.