Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Other
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage of 10,100 to 19,900 surgeons by 2036. Despite the need for physicians in surgical specialties, exposure to surgical education remains limited to the third and fourth year, posing a barrier to fostering early interest in surgical careers. Medical school student interest groups (SIGs) may be an avenue to increase surgical exposure pre-clerkship curriculum. We seek to establish effective interventions that can be utilized by SIGs to increase and maintain surgical interest to the point of matriculation into surgical residency.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review using electronic databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar. We screened twenty-seven studies evaluating pre-clerkship interventions designed to increase surgical interest among medical students. Interventions were categorized by type -- pre-clerkship elective course, hands-on skills development, mentorship program and operating room exposure -- and assessed for their impact of measurable outcomes, such as confidence level, surgeon perception, competence, and surgical interest.
Results: Pre-clerkship interventions revealed that hands-on skills workshops, structured mentorship, and early surgical exposure consistently increase student confidence, competence, and interest in surgery. Seventeen interventions incorporated skill development, while eight included mentorship components; however, short-term programs often lacked the depth needed for substantial mentorship. Ten interventions involved early operating room exposure and interaction with surgical faculty or residents, which enhanced confidence and improved perceptions of surgeons more effectively than didactic-only programs.
Conclusion: Medical students reported increased confidence in pursuing surgical careers and improved perceptions of surgical professions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating clinical hands-on practice, mentorship and real-world clinical exposure through SIGs to maximize surgical interest. However, time constraints and funding remain significant barriers to implementation. Institutional support is vital to addressing these obstacles and ensuring that SIG-driven programs remain sustainable, particularly in institutions without affiliated surgical residency programs. Future efforts should prioritize expanding access to these interventions to better prepare medical students for surgical careers and to help mitigate the growing shortage of surgeons.
Recommended Citation
Murambadoro, Anesu K.; Burrell, Antoinette; Zamora, Karina; Gonzalez, Daniela; Biju, Theresa M.; Bonilla, Paul; Martin, Blake; and Usman, Ayesha, "Enhancing Surgical Interest through Pre-Clerkship Interventions: Insights for Student-Run Interest Groups" (2025). Research Symposium. 14.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/14
Included in
Enhancing Surgical Interest through Pre-Clerkship Interventions: Insights for Student-Run Interest Groups
Background: The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage of 10,100 to 19,900 surgeons by 2036. Despite the need for physicians in surgical specialties, exposure to surgical education remains limited to the third and fourth year, posing a barrier to fostering early interest in surgical careers. Medical school student interest groups (SIGs) may be an avenue to increase surgical exposure pre-clerkship curriculum. We seek to establish effective interventions that can be utilized by SIGs to increase and maintain surgical interest to the point of matriculation into surgical residency.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review using electronic databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar. We screened twenty-seven studies evaluating pre-clerkship interventions designed to increase surgical interest among medical students. Interventions were categorized by type -- pre-clerkship elective course, hands-on skills development, mentorship program and operating room exposure -- and assessed for their impact of measurable outcomes, such as confidence level, surgeon perception, competence, and surgical interest.
Results: Pre-clerkship interventions revealed that hands-on skills workshops, structured mentorship, and early surgical exposure consistently increase student confidence, competence, and interest in surgery. Seventeen interventions incorporated skill development, while eight included mentorship components; however, short-term programs often lacked the depth needed for substantial mentorship. Ten interventions involved early operating room exposure and interaction with surgical faculty or residents, which enhanced confidence and improved perceptions of surgeons more effectively than didactic-only programs.
Conclusion: Medical students reported increased confidence in pursuing surgical careers and improved perceptions of surgical professions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating clinical hands-on practice, mentorship and real-world clinical exposure through SIGs to maximize surgical interest. However, time constraints and funding remain significant barriers to implementation. Institutional support is vital to addressing these obstacles and ensuring that SIG-driven programs remain sustainable, particularly in institutions without affiliated surgical residency programs. Future efforts should prioritize expanding access to these interventions to better prepare medical students for surgical careers and to help mitigate the growing shortage of surgeons.
