<p>An Undergraduate Surgery Interest Group: Introducing Premedical Students to the Practice of Surgery</p>

Abstract

Purpose: Early 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 Methods: We 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. Results: Our 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. Conclusion: Our 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 timeefficient; we encourage other academic institutions and educators to consider investing in similar interest groups.

Impact of Plastic Surgery Medical Training on Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Preferences, and Perceived Benefits: Comparative Study

“…The questionnaires were developed based on the review of literature utilizing various resources to measure the variables of the study [2,5,7,11,13,14]. The reviewed information was concerned mainly of procedures of plastic surgery, preference of medical specialty, attitudes, sources of information, benefits or plastic surgery education.…”

<p>Comments on: An Undergraduate Surgery Interest Group: Introducing Premedical Students to the Practice of Surgery [Letter]</p>

“…The study conducted by Vakayil et al 1 regarding an undergraduate surgery interest group (USIG) to augment interest in a surgical career was read with great interest. Their findings that the USIG strengthened students understanding and interests in a surgical career is promising as surgical career matriculation and occupancy rates decrease.…”

“…Their findings that the USIG strengthened students understanding and interests in a surgical career is promising as surgical career matriculation and occupancy rates decrease. 1,2 However, the value of implementing such early educational initiatives remains unknown and it's hard to conclude whether to encourage other institutions to incorporate similar initiatives.…”

Breaking down barriers to surgical learning in times of COVID-19: an initiative of future surgeons

“…Although junior surgeons and surgical residents have been directly affected by modifications in action protocols, practice time, attendance at certain types of surgeries, and restriction on entry to practice settings, depending on their degree of preparation and advancement in their specialty [2], they arguably have an advantage over those who have not even had their first surgical rotation, or those who aspire to be surgeons and for whom the time spent on surgery and medical rounds has been minimal [3]. This is why medical students, who will be trained to be the surgeons of the future, are the most affected by this public calamity of global scale.Participation in surgical interest groups is an innovative and effective strategy to promote knowledge and receive support from senior surgeons with extensive experience and academic background [4].…”

“…Participation in surgical interest groups is an innovative and effective strategy to promote knowledge and receive support from senior surgeons with extensive experience and academic background [4].…”