Abstract Purpose: The impact of medical students’ third-year rotation operative exposure on career choice is unknown. We conducted a single-institution study to evaluate the effect of operative involvement on third-year medical students' interest in surgery. Methods: Six cohorts of third-year medical students who completed surgical rotations in 2023-2024 at a single academic medical center were given a survey to assess baseline perceptions and changes in interest in surgery as a career. Results: 35 out of 78 eligible students responded. Interest in surgery as a career increased from 2.06 pre-rotation to 2.91 post-rotation (p = 0.008). Students on the emergency general surgery (EGS) service showed an increase in interest from 2.18 pre-rotation to 3.45 post-rotation (p = 0.021). Students on an elective service reported a lesser increase from 2.00 to 2.67 (p = 0.100). Students who scrubbed-in Conclusion: Actively engaging third-year medical students as members of the surgical team during their surgery rotation enhanced their interest in pursuing a career in surgery, underscoring the importance of hands-on experience in students' career aspirations. The number of cases students participated in during their rotation and surgical service was positively correlated with their interest in surgery.
Qian et al. (Wed,) studied this question.