Holding the Knife on Perceptions of Surgery

Abstract

Objective

Negative stereotypes associated with surgery by medical students are well documented in literature. Many cite long hours, poor work-life balance, pessimism, mean personalities, and cynicism as pervasive among surgeons and operating room culture. If allowed to persist, these negative perceptions can deter otherwise interested students from pursuing surgical subspecialties.

Design

Incorporation of peer-teaching in the third-year clerkship to not only illuminate the hidden curriculum in surgery but adequately prepare students to participate in the operating room is paramount to taking steps to improve student perception as well as success as clerkship students.

Setting

An academic medical center.

Participants

Pre-clinical medical students.

RESULTS

One-hundred and forty-three third year clerkship students were surveyed with pre- and postinstruments. Students who participated in these pre clerkship peer-teaching sessions reported significant improvements in their ability to identify surgical anatomy (p < 0.001), an increased confidence in answering questions from attendings about anatomy and function as well as in identifying anatomical abnormalities (all p < 0.001). Students also reported significantly improved perceptions about surgeons as teachers and their willingness to support students pursuing surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the incorporation of an immersive orientation prior to the start of the surgery clerkship has significantly positive impacts on the learning experience and confidence of medical students. Increased efforts should be made to introduce students to surgeons, surgical careers, and the operating room prior to the surgery clerkship, being sure to incorporate aspects of the hidden curriculum, to address the negative perceptions that continue to exist regarding surgical fields.