Surgery Interest Group Research Articles

Medical Student Perspectives on Choosing a Career in Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery is facing an impending workforce shortage as the population ages and the demand for vascular surgical services increases. The integrated vascular surgery residency (0+5) paradigm is well-established and provides a mechanism to increase the number of board-certified vascular surgeons. Recruitment of medical students to these programs has proven challenging with unfilled positions in each of the past 2 years. The aim of this study is to explore factors that influence medical students' interest in vascular surgery and their decision to ultimately pursue a career in the field. Medical students listed on the Society for Vascular Surgery "Find a VSIG (Vascular Surgery Interest Group)" webpage were contacted via email to participate in the study. A snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit additional participants, including recent medical school graduates who had matched into a 0+5 program. Fifteen students participated in 5 focus groups. Directed content analysis was employed to qualitatively analyze focus group transcripts. Five domains were identified as influencing students' decision to pursue vascular surgery. Experiential learning facilitated early exploration of the field. The intellectuality of the specialty was a feature that attracted students to vascular surgery. In addition, the professional identify of vascular surgeons as comprehensive care providers was appealing. Students identified with their mentors' relationships as observed during clinical encounters. Long-term mentorship was important in sustaining students' interest. Medical students pursue a career in vascular surgery based on early exposure to the specialty, experiential learning through hands-on VSIG events, clinical experiences, and longitudinal faculty mentorship. The unique aspects of the specialty, including professional identity and intellectuality, should be highlighted to both attract and maintain students' interest in the field. These findings can be used by national vascular surgery leaders, practicing vascular surgeons, and faculty and student leadership of VSIGs to optimize recruitment programs and increase the vascular surgery workforce.

Impact of a Surgical Subspecialty Roundtable on Career Perception for Preclerkship Medical Students

BackgroundLimited exposure to surgical subspecialties during medical school may be responsible for decreasing medical student interest in surgery. Although most medical schools have surgery interest groups to increase exposure, our aim was to evaluate the impact of a focused surgical subspecialty roundtable on preclerkship students’ perceptions of surgical careers. MethodsFaculty members from each surgical subspecialty shared their experiences and led roundtable discussions with five to seven first- and second-year medical students at a time (total n = 59). Pre-event and post-event surveys were administered to assess students’ interest in surgery, knowledge of training paths, values related to specialty selection, and perception of surgeons. ResultsForty students completed pre-event and post-event surveys. The number of students who were extremely or very interested in surgery increased after this event (65% versus 72.5%, P < 0.001). The greatest number of students indicated an interest in orthopedic surgery, and the fewest indicated an interest in neurosurgery. After the event, thirteen (32.5%) students changed their preferences for the subspecialty in which they were most interested. Students demonstrated improved knowledge of training length and integrated residencies (83.8% versus 96.3%, P = 0.003). The perceived importance of intellectual challenge, research opportunities, and training length decreased, whereas the importance of compensation, work/life balance, long-term patient follow-up, and the job market increased. Students' perceptions of surgeons’ work/life balance (10% versus 25%, P < 0.001) and ability to be team players (82.5% versus 85%, P = 0.01) improved significantly after the roundtable. ConclusionsThe surgical specialty roundtable increased students’ interest in surgery, improved knowledge of training paths, and altered perceptions related to career decision-making.

Reasons for Choosing/Not Choosing Vascular Surgery as a Career among Medical Students at an Academic Institution with Well-Established 0+5 Program and Vascular Surgery Interest Groups

Journal of the American College of Surgeons 231(4):p S355, October 2020. | DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.07.720

The State of Vascular Surgery Interest Groups in North America

Vascular surgery interest groups (VSIGs) raise awareness and attract medical students to the specialty. There has been a plateauing of applicants interested in integrated programs. The goal of this survey was to assess the activities of VSIGs and identify factors associated with matriculation into vascular surgery residency. A survey was administered to members of the association of program directors in vascular surgery. It inquired about the presence of a VSIG at the corresponding medical schools. The program directors at institutions lacking VSIGs were asked about possible hurdles in establishing one. The rest of the survey focused on the different activities of the VSIG. The VSIGs were divided into low enrollment if less than 10% of the students in that group pursue vascular surgery training and high enrollment if greater than 10% of the students pursue vascular surgery. Chi-squared test was used for comparison. There were 65/123 programs that responded (53% response rate). The responses came most commonly from programs in the Northeast (36.9%). Only 37% (n=24) had a VSIG at their institutions. Lack of time (65.2%) and lack of a student champion (60.9%) were the most common hurdles encountered by the program directors who considered establishing a VSIG. Comparing the 2 groups of VSIGs, there was no difference in terms of the training paradigm, experience of program director, or geographical location. The VSIGs had comparable duration of activity, number of students, and meeting frequency. There was no difference in clinical exposure outside the curriculum between the 2 groups with observation on the wards and in clinic being most common. Endovascular simulation was significantly (P=0.01) more common in low enrollment (83.3%) compared with high enrollment (33.3%) VSIG. There was a trend in the high enrollment group for more vascular anastomosis training (75% vs. 66.7%) that did not reach statistical significance (P=0.65). There was no difference between the 2 groups in career development opportunities and education activities. Most VSIGs (75%) operated with a budget of less than $1,000 based on divisional or departmental funding (low enrollment=66.7% versus high enrollment=41.7%, P=0.22). Only one-third of the vascular surgery training programs have an associated VSIG. Vascular surgery training programs should promote VSIG formation with equal emphasis on endovascular and open surgery, thus providing medical students an early exposure to the specialty.

Comments on: An Undergraduate Surgery Interest Group: Introducing Premedical Students to the Practice of Surgery [Letter

Comments on: An Undergraduate Surgery Interest Group: Introducing Premedical Students to the Practice of Surgery [Letter

An Undergraduate Surgery Interest Group: Introducing Premedical Students to the Practice of Surgery.

PurposeEarly exposure and surgical mentorship can augment interest in surgery. We evaluate the effect and feasibility of offering education and mentorship opportunities in surgery to premedical students at our institution through an undergraduate surgery interest group (USIG).Materials and MethodsWe conducted a 1-year assessment of our USIG and reviewed its organizational structure, funding resources, media promotion, and educational activities. Our USIG hosted introductory-level surgical skills workshops, guest lectures by surgeons, and various facility tours. To assess participants’ interests, as well as the influences on them to pursue a surgical profession, we analyzed pre- and post-event questionnaires. Similar questionnaires were completed by medical students in our medical student surgery interest group to compare any differences in perception between premedical and medical students.ResultsOur USIG currently has 378 undergraduate student members, with a higher proportion of women than in our medical student surgery interest group (P < 0.003). Neurosurgery was the most popular career choice among undergraduate participants. Participants reported the highest satisfaction with suturing and high-fidelity trauma surgery skills workshops. Undergraduate participants indicated that their intrinsic interest in the sciences is the highest motivation to pursue a surgical profession. Resident lifestyle and social obligations of a surgical career were actually positive influences for undergraduate participants; in contrast, medical students viewed those variables as negative factors.ConclusionOur USIG was met with enthusiasm by premedical students and faculty alike. Participation strengthened premedical students’ interest in pursuing surgery and increased their understanding of the surgical profession. Early mentorship may positively influence premedical students’ perception of surgical careers. USIG is economically feasible and time-efficient; we encourage other academic institutions and educators to consider investing in similar interest groups.

Highlights from the First Student-Run Orthopedics Clinical Research Showcase at Wayne State University School of Medicine

The Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group Clinical Research Showcase took place on December 3, 2019 on the campus of Wayne State University School of Medicine as the first such student-run event of its kind since the school was established in 1868 as Detroit Medical College. The Clinical Research Showcase was developed by the student leadership of the Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group (Arif Musa, Emily Lau, Martin Weaver, and Collin Bennet) with the support of the Office of Medical Student Research Programs, which was established in 2017. Medical students were encouraged to submit abstracts for poster and podium presentation with the latter taking place in the Margherio Conference Center (Figure 1). The goals of the showcase were to promote student engagement in research, develop skills such as abstract writing and poster design, receive valuable feedback from judges, and foster inter-disciplinary collaboration. These goals were based on previous articles that have documented the impact of peer-led symposia as a valuable learning experience and means promote student involvement in research endeavors [1-3.] It was explicitly stated in the call for abstracts that medical student were welcome to submit abstracts of completed, ongoing, and planned research in any medical discipline. The research showcase was supported by the generous Office of Medical Student Research whom provided dinner and funding for several students’ posters to be printed.

Fresh‐frozen cadaveric dissection for medical students using specimens from surgical CME workshops

IntroductionMany medical schools have reduced, modified, or eliminated cadaveric dissection from their curricula. While the digital anatomy paradigm shift allows educators to reinforce concepts in an integrated, longitudinal manner, some students, especially those pursuing surgical specialties, remain interested in cadaver exposure. These students often practice manual dexterity by suturing on poultry and bovine parts, despite its limited ability to simulate human skin and connective tissues. Fresh‐frozen cadaver represents the highest quality specimen for appreciating anatomy and performing dissection. Unfortunately, student access is often prohibited by cost and lack of embalming limits prolonged use.AimWe sought to augment second‐year medical student anatomy knowledge and teach fundamental surgical principles through an elective experience using fresh‐frozen human cadaver.MethodsSurgeons attend continued medical education (CME) workshops with fresh‐frozen specimens to learn advanced operative approaches. Specimens are typically discarded afterwards. Our school’s surgery interest group coordinated with faculty to create a two‐day session focused on head and neck dissection and suturing with fresh‐frozen cadavers leftover from a temporomandibular joint surgery CME workshop. This is a pilot study of an extracurricular supplement at our medical school and was not considered for IRB review.ResultsThis session increased the educational value of donated human specimens. Students highly regarded the event for reinforcing challenging aspects of regional head and neck anatomy. They gained a higher appreciation for tissue planes than afforded by traditional formalin‐preserved cadaver. Dissection and suturing was comparable to what students can expect to encounter in the operating room. All twelve participating students advocated for increasing the size and frequency of these sessions. Formal data collection instruments were not utilized because this was a qualitative pilot experience.ConclusionsFresh‐frozen cadaver can be re‐used by students after surgical workshops for dissection and suturing to ethically gain the most educational value out of donated human specimens. These elective sessions can be dispersed throughout an integrated preclinical curriculum, each focused on a different anatomic region. The tactile experience of working with fresh‐frozen specimens is superior to formalin‐preserved tissues and enhances the education of students interested in the surgical profession.

Scrub Club: A Medical Student‐Led Initiative That Uses Experiential Learning Opportunities in the Cadaver Laboratory to Introduce Pre‐Clerkship Medical Students to Surgery

IntroductionMost medical students have very little exposure to surgical specialties in their pre‐clerkship years, especially when compared to non‐surgical specialities; and bring very little knowledge of surgical skills to their surgical clerkship rotations. Second‐year medical students (Meds2022) at Schulich School of Medicine &amp; Dentistry – Windsor Campus recognized this lack of early exposure to surgery as a potential barrier to their learning. Additionally, Schulich School of Medicine &amp; Dentistry – Windsor Campus is a distributed medical campus (DMC). DMCs often have less engagement from surgeons compared to larger academic centres, making learning directly from a surgical mentor more challenging. In an attempt to address these student‐perceived gaps in their curriculum, a surgery interest group made up of Meds2022 students instituted an innovative club – the Scrub Club. Teaching models for early exposure to surgery have been previously implemented at other campuses, however none have been completely student‐directed or as multifaceted as the Scrub Club at a DMC.AimThe aim of Scrub Club is to develop experiential learning opportunities that will help introduce pre‐clerkship medical students to surgery using the on‐site cadaver laboratory.MethodsScrub Club members encouraged the development of surgical skills and knowledge amongst themselves, as well as their peers, by hosting regular experiential learning sessions in the cadaver laboratory. Experiential sessions included student‐led demonstrations on surgical anatomy, suturing, and knot tying using cadavers. Community surgeons were also brought in by Scrub Club members to lead simulated surgeries on cadavers.ResultsSince September 2019, the club has hosted two anatomy information sessions, one suturing session, and two simulated surgeries on cadavers. Simulated surgeries included an appendectomy, a prostatectomy, a nephrectomy, a bowel resection, and a splenectomy. During the physician‐led surgery simulations, each student was given an opportunity to assist, and to employ the skills/knowledge that they had acquired from previous sessions taught by their peers. Verbal feedback given by club members, as well as other medical student attendees, indicated that the sessions had a positive impact; and at least two students cited Scrub Club as the reason they felt comfortable performing suturing during observerships. Additionally, Scrub Club members felt that they were better able to demonstrate competencies important to the medical profession, such as leadership, collaboration, and communication, during these teaching sessions.Discussion and ConclusionThe members of Scrub Club were successfully able to develop and implement a variety of experiential learning opportunities using the cadaver laboratory at Windsor Campus. These opportunities have the potential to increase the level of engagement of pre‐clerkship students in surgical specialities, and to establish a basic surgical skillset that can be expanded upon in clerkship. The medical competencies developed were the unintentional benefits of the club.

Investigating the Perceived Efficacy of a Silicone Suturing Task Trainer Using Input from Novice Medical Trainees.

Suturing is an essential procedural skill that medical students are expected to be competent in before they graduate medical school; however, there is often a lack of suturing instruction and practice in undergraduate medicine curriculums. Silicone suturing task trainers created from 3D printed molds can help address this gap in medical education by improving student’s manual skills before they perform procedures on real patients upon graduation. Commercially available suture task trainers on the market today lack validation from medical learners; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the perceived efficacy of a silicone skin suture task trainer created from a 3D printed mold using input from novice medical trainees. A silicone task trainer created by MUN Med 3D was used to teach suturing during two surgery interest group skill development sessions. At the end of the sessions, 38 medical students completed a product evaluation survey that assessed the perceived educational efficacy of the suturing task trainer. Overall, the feedback received from the participants was positive and supported the use of silicone suturing task trainers in undergraduate medicine curriculums.

A national post-Match webinar panel improves knowledge and preparedness of medical students interested in vascular surgery training

BackgroundThe current shortage of vascular surgeons is projected to worsen. Compared with other surgical residency programs, integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) offers fewer training positions and attracts fewer applicants. As a result, only a few medical students from each school match into the specialty, and conventional resources like Match panels are not available to students interested in vascular surgery. We hypothesize that a national post-Match panel webinar will improve medical students' knowledge of the IVSR application process. MethodsA panel of four recently matched medical students shared their experiences on their successful Match into an IVSR through a 65-minute-long national webinar. Data were collected from students who attended the webinar through anonymous online surveys before and after the panel discussion. The participants' self-reported understanding of the IVSR was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale for 11 questions. Objective knowledge of the IVSR Match process was assessed using five data-based questions. All prewebinar and postwebinar responses were paired and compared using bivariate analysis. ResultsA total of 76 participants completed both the prewebinar and postwebinar surveys. The majority of respondents were first-year medical students (51.3%) and attended medical school in the Northeast (38.2%). Among these respondents, 57.6% indicated that their home institution had an IVSR program, 44.7% had an active vascular surgery interest group (VSIG), 14.5% had previously attended a vascular surgery conference, and 28.9% were very likely to apply into an IVSR. After the webinar, more students correctly identified the number of currently existing IVSR training positions (76.3% vs 89.5%; P = .002), duration of IVSR (56.6% vs 85.5%; P < .001), and median Step 1 score (50% vs 84.2%; P < .001) and minimum number of applications (38.2% vs 65.8%; P < .001) recommended for a successful Match into IVSR. Students who had a VSIG at their home institution were found to have a better baseline knowledge of the IVSR based on their higher aggregate scores on the data-based questions (3.4 ± 1 vs 1.9 ± 1.2; P < .001) compared with those without one. ConclusionsA national webinar run by recently matched students can effectively improve medical students' understanding of the IVSR application process. Students with a VSIG at their institutions have a better baseline knowledge of IVSR. In addition to expanding the VSIG, instituting an annual national postmatch webinar may help students become better prepared applicants and improve the overall application pool.

Establishing the first Hartford consensus-compliant medical school in the United States.

Following the Hartford Consensus meetings, the Stop the Bleed Campaign was created to reduce the prevalence of death from exsanguination in the case of traumatic hemorrhage. The campaign revolves around providing hemorrhage control training to members of the public and increasing public access to hemorrhage control equipment. To our knowledge, no medical school has established a self-sustaining Stop the Bleed program to train their students and faculty as well as made hemorrhage control equipment available for use in an emergency. Bleeding control classes were offered at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine beginning in January 2018. A proposal was made to the medical school's Council on Curriculum Oversight in May 2018 to incorporate the training as part of the required curriculum for first-year students. A second proposal was made to Quinnipiac University's Emergency Management Team in June 2018 to purchase hemorrhage control equipment. Twelve bleeding control courses were held between January and August 2018. Two hundred ten medical students, 19 faculty members, and 36 public safety officers completed initial training. Thirty-four medical students, two faculty members, and two public safety officers became certified instructors. Training was incorporated into the first-year curriculum to be taught by certified second-year students under the direction of the school's Department of Surgery. The school purchased approved training equipment. A student-coordinator position was created in the Surgery Interest Group. Hemorrhage control equipment was purchased for each public safety officer, patrol vehicles, and for the Central Dispatch headquarters. Public-access equipment has been purchased for each Automated External Defibrillator cabinet at the medical school. The School of Medicine community has been empowered with the ability to save lives. Students and faculty have been trained in life-saving skills, a self-sustaining training process has been created, and equipment has been purchased for hemorrhage control efforts.

IP169. Mentorship and the Vascular Annual Meeting Student Program Matter in the Vascular Surgery Match

Vascular surgery integrated residencies were granted accreditation in 2007, and 60 positions were offered in 2018. Our goal was to determine the factors affecting the number of vascular surgery matches from each medical school and the factors affecting where students match. We hypothesized that the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) would play a role in the match. Public online match records of 140 U.S. medical schools from 2009 to 2018 were reviewed to determine the number of students from each medical school who matched into vascular surgery and where they matched. Factors reviewed included presence of an integrated program, fellowship, and vascular surgery interest group (VSIG). In addition, the number of representatives from each medical school at the VAM student breakfast program and the number of podium presentations from each medical school from 2015 to 2018 were also reviewed. Of all U.S. medical students who matched into vascular surgery, 88% were identified. The median number of vascular surgery matches from a U.S. medical school was 2. The presence of an integrated residency program (odds ratio [OR 8.6]; P < .001) and VSIG (OR, 4.9; P < .001) strongly correlated with matching vascular surgery residents. There were six medical schools with at least five representatives at the VAM medical student breakfast program from 2015 to 2018. Students from those medical schools were more likely to match at one of the six affiliated residency programs (OR, 6.2; P < .001). Eleven medical schools had at least three representatives at the breakfast program. Those 11 schools matched more vascular residents (OR, 0.2; P = .003) and their students were more likely to match at one of the 11 affiliated programs (OR, 4.8; P < .001). The number of podium presentations per institution at the VAM from 2015 to 2018 also positively correlated with matching vascular surgery residents from those affiliated medical schools (OR, 3.6; P = .02). Medical schools with affiliated integrated residency programs and VSIGs provide opportunity for medical student exposure of vascular surgery and are correlated with producing more vascular surgery residents. Students from schools without integrated programs, VSIGs, or faculty actively involved in the VAM student program may be under-represented in the vascular match. The VAM student program provides critical exposure to vascular surgery programs and should be represented by a diverse group of medical schools to foster student interest from those without integrated residency programs or VSIGs.

Peer-led Surgical Clerkship Programming Support Through the General Surgery Interest Group at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

We present a systematic, sustainable, student-led model for supporting the Surgical Clerkship experience. Our model includes student-led suturing and knot-tying classes, operating room tours, skills sessions, and shelf review sessions provided systematically for each of 5 Surgical Clerkship blocks in the 2017 to 2018 academic year. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Surgical Clerkship students and senior medical student instructors. Successful implementation of a peer-led support program for the Surgical Clerkship with a majority of students rating the helpfulness of both the operating room tours and the skills sessions a 4 or 5 on a Likert scale. Our student-led model for a Surgical Clerkship support program can be successfully implemented and demonstrates positive initial indicators of effectiveness.

Cross sectional analysis of student-led surgical societies in fostering medical student interest in Canada

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine how surgery interest groups (SIGs) across Canada function and influence medical students’ interest in surgical careers.MethodsTwo unique surveys were distributed using a cross sectional design. The first was sent to SIG executives and the second to SIG members enrolled at a Canadian medical school in the 2016/17 academic year. The prior focused on the types of events hosted, SIG structure/ supports, and barriers/ plans for improvement. The second questionnaire focused on student experience, involvement, and suggestions for improvement.ResultsSIG executives became involved in SIG through classmates and colleagues (8/17, 47%). Their roles focused on organizing events (17/17, 100%), facilitating student contact with resident/surgeons (17/17, 100%), and organizing funding (13/17, 76%). Surgical skills events were among the most successful and well received by students (15/17, 88%). Major barriers faced by SIG executives during their tenure included time conflicts with other interest groups (13/17, 76%), lack of funding (8/17, 47%), and difficulty booking spaces for events (8,17, 47%). SIGs were found to facilitate improvement in basic surgical skills (μ = 3.89/5 ± 0.70) in a comfortable environment (μ = 4.02/5, ±0.6), but were not helpful with final block examinations (μ = 2.98/5, ±0.80). Members indicated that more skills sessions, panel discussion and shadowing opportunities would be beneficial additions. Overall, members felt that SIGs increased their interest in surgical careers (μ = 3.50/5, ±0.79).ConclusionCanadian SIGs not only play a critical role in early exposure, but may provide a foundation to contribute to student success in surgery.

Where Do We Begin? Building Blocks to Establish a Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group

With the impending shortage of cardiothoracic (CT) surgeons, much focus has been on increasing trainee interest, particularly at the medical student level. We aimed to determine the effect of participation in our Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group (CTSIG) on medical student attitudes regarding surgery, and especially CT surgery. An anonymous survey was administered at two time points to the current member list of our 2015 to 2016 CTSIG and repeated for the 2016 to 2017 academic year. A set CTSIG event schedule was developed with current CT faculty and included events every 1 to 2 months. Total CTSIG membership was 101 students. Descriptive analysis was performed on quantitative data. Of 73 preclinical students completing both pre/postsurveys, 62% (45) were male. Postsurveys demonstrated increased interest in surgery and CT surgery as a career, which was significantly greater than those reporting no change (p < 0.01 for both). Common factors mentioned as deterrents for a CT surgery career included lifestyle, length of training, and associated personality/culture. Events hosted by the CTSIG most frequently reported as increasing interest included lunches/dinners with CT surgery faculty (89%), a "Leadership in Surgery" event (58%), and an "Intro to CT Surgery and Q/A Session" hosted by a CT surgeon (51%). Establishing a CTSIG that includes preset events with exposure to CT surgery by shadowing and interaction with faculty in a relaxed setting has the ability to increase preclinical interest in CT surgery. More emphasis on advocacy is needed to clear up misconceptions about CT surgery to maintain recruitment of outstanding students in our CT surgery heritage.

Otolaryngology interest groups: A potential solution to the residency match crisis.

ObjectiveTo determine whether medical student Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (Oto‐HNS) interest groups increase student and resident interest in the specialty and influence decisions to apply to Oto‐HNS residency.MethodsTwo web‐based surveys were distributed by the Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UConn Health: one to current medical students at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the other to currents residents at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–approved otolaryngology training programs.ResultsFifty medical students and 89 residents completed the surveys. Several components were assessed in these surveys, including factors contributing to the selection process, interest group availability, attendance of meetings, availability of otolaryngology mentors, and interest in the specialty. A majority of medical students noted that interest groups play a role in influencing their interest in a medical specialty (56%). Medical students who attended Oto‐HNS interest group were more likely to consider applying for otolaryngology residency (P < .0001) and had improved understanding of otolaryngology than those that did not attend (P = .0003). Residents who attended interest group meetings were more likely to be influenced to apply to otolaryngology than those that did not attend.ConclusionOto‐HNS interest groups improve medical student understanding of the specialty. Medical students and residents who participated in interest groups were more likely to be influenced positively regarding the specialty than those that did not attend. Oto‐HNS interest groups may foster greater interest in otolaryngology residency and offer a potential solution to the current match concerns.Level of Evidencexx

“Development of an Academic Surgical Student Program for Enhancing Student-Faculty Engagement”

We describe an innovative medical student surgery interest group and its influence on mentorship and career exploration. SCRUBS, created to promote interest in academic surgery, is student-led, with continual surgical faculty and resident involvement. Its 3-component programming focuses on clinical skills, research, and mentorship opportunities for medical students to get involved in academic surgery early in medical education. The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI. First through fourth year medical students, surgery residents, and attending surgeons. SCRUBS is a multifaceted student organization providing longitudinal exposure to various aspects of surgery and academic medicine. The group grew annually from 2010 to 2014, with students and faculty expressing positive feedback. Over the time period reviewed, we had a greater percentage of students applying into surgical specialties compared with the national average (16.8 vs 12% in 2014). The group supported and facilitated mentorship, clinical skills development, and research opportunities for interested students. This innovative surgery interest group has been well received by students and surgeons, and our institution has seen above-average interest in surgical careers. Early, preclinical mentorship and exposure provided by SCRUBS may contribute to this higher surgical interest.

Implementation of Operating Room Scrub Training Course Dramatically Increases Enrollment in Medical School Surgery Interest Group

Implementation of Operating Room Scrub Training Course Dramatically Increases Enrollment in Medical School Surgery Interest Group

Evaluation of the Impact and Usefulness of Student-Led Surgery Interest Group

Evaluation of the Impact and Usefulness of Student-Led Surgery Interest Group