Exposure of medical students to surgery: the Nepean summer vacation surgical program.

Background: Methods to increase the exposure of junior medical students to surgery have been described and developed by academic and clinical surgical departments. Most methods have exposed students to surgery within a simulated environment. The Summer Vacation Surgical Program is a method which exposes junior medical students to the clinical environments of surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed of surveys completed by medical students after each Summer Vacation Surgical Program from 2008 to 2011. Responses were both quantitative and qualitative. All qualitative responses were read by 3 independent researchers from which category headings were generated. All data were accounted for and analyzed using these categories.

Results: One hundred and seven medical students completed the Summer Vacation Surgical Program between 2008 and 2011. Fifty-five medical students completed the voluntary survey (response rate = 51.4%). The highest-scored responses were demonstrated for meeting learning needs and helping with career choices. Three category headings were generated from the qualitative responses, which consist of placement structure, learning experience, and career decision-making. From these categories it was demonstrated that respondents perceived positive learning environments and improved generic and surgical skills. Some respondents also clarified their career choices and progressed their career development.

Conclusions: An intensive exposure to the spectrum of surgical practice may assist junior medical students in their career decision-making and planning, while also providing other learning opportunities valued by students. Prospective studies are needed to assess the influence of such exposure on career choice and applications to surgical training.