Hugh A. Stoddard

Collaborative research in medical education: a discussion of theory and practice.

Medical Education 2010: 44: 1175–1184

The Influence of Surgical Demonstrations During an Anatomy Course on the Perceptions of First-Year Medical Students Toward Surgeons and a Surgical Career

OBJECTIVE We previously have demonstrated the educational benefits of surgical demonstrations to first-year medical students. The aim of this current study was to analyze the influence of these demonstrations on the perceptions of students toward surgeons and a possible career in surgery. METHODS A faculty member from the Department of Surgery provided an instruction on pancreatic malignancies and management to first-year medical students during their gross anatomy course. After this instruction, using a lightly embalmed cadaver, the clinically relevant anatomy was detailed and a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed on the cadaver. Immediately after the demonstration, a brief survey was conducted to obtain feedback from the students about the experience. RESULTS A total of 170 students over 2 years returned the survey for a response rate of 69%. The demonstration provided 77% of students with a favorable impression of surgeons, and 90% of the students felt that this exposure gave them an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to become a surgeon. Additionally, 57% of respondents stated that watching the demonstration increased the likelihood of them pursuing a surgical career. For the 67% of students who were considering a surgery career, the demonstration reinforced their interest; however, for the students who were not interested in surgery, the demonstration did not alter their opinion. CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that surgical demonstrations to first-year medical students can influence their perceptions favorably about surgeons and a surgical career. This interaction provided students with information and motivation to pursue a career in surgery and also may counteract any negative stereotypes of the field that first-year students may have had.

An international perspective on interest in a general surgery career among final-year medical students

BACKGROUND The level of interest in general surgery among US seniors has been declining; however, it may be perceived as a more attractive career outside the United States. METHODS A survey was developed and distributed to students at medical schools in 8 countries. Results were analyzed to determine whether interest in general surgery was related to sex of the respondent or economic standing of the country. RESULTS We noted differences in the level of interest in general surgery, ranging from 8% in Italy to 58% in India. As in the United States, there was a difference in the level of interest between sexes, with a male preponderance. Students from economically less developed countries expressed a greater interest in general surgery compared with students from countries with high development. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested the level of interest for general surgery may depend on the sex and the location of the student. Further comparison studies may suggest means to stimulate student interest in the field.

A multinational perspective on "lifestyle" and other perceptions of contemporary medical students about general surgery.

Objective:The aim of this multinational study was to measure and describe the perceptions of medical students toward general surgery as a career choice with a particular emphasis on “lifestyle.” Background:Past studies from individual countries have considered the perceptions of medical students toward general surgery. No multinational study to compare the perceptions of medical students from different geographic and socioeconomic regions toward general surgery, has been broadly disseminated. Methods:A survey about student perceptions of a general surgery career was distributed to 9 medical schools in 8 countries. Two-way analysis of variance was performed on the basis of country, level of economic development [Human Development Index (HDI)], and sex. Results:A total of 841 respondents were included in the study with a response rate of 60%. The overall rate of interest toward general surgery as a career choice was 24%. We noted differences in the reasons behind why medical students choose general surgery between very high HDI countries and medium/high HDI countries. In contrast, the most important reason for not choosing general surgery was found to be due to perceptions of an unpleasant lifestyle. The negative influence of “lifestyle” persisted across all countries, both sexes, and all levels of socioeconomic development. Conclusions:The negative influence of lifestyle is the most important reason why contemporary medical students from different parts of the world choose not to pursue general surgery. Strategies to counteract the perceived unfriendly nature of the lifestyle are essential to increase the interest of contemporary medical students toward general surgery.

A Regional Perspective on the Attitudes of Fourth-Year Medical Students Toward the Field of General Surgery

BACKGROUND Despite the stabilization of match rates, negative perceptions toward general surgery are still rife among medical students. The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes of fourth-year medical students towards general surgery at a regional level. METHOD All fourth-year medical students in the state of Nebraska were invited to complete an online survey about their perceptions of the field of general surgery and the factors that influenced their residency choice. RESULTS Of the 145 respondents, 10% were interested in general surgery; this result is slightly higher than the national average. The main reasons cited by those who are choosing general surgery were personal factors; the perceived adverse external factors did not influence their career choice. In contrast, students who chose nonsurgical careers did so because of external factors, such as poor lifestyle and perceptions of an unfriendly environment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggested regional variations in the level of interest toward general surgery and that interest in the field among medical students in Nebraska may be higher than what has been reported nationally. Students who chose general surgery did so for personal reasons, which were independent of external factors. Recruitment efforts into the field should be focused on those students who choose non-general surgery careers and on rectifying the negative influences that steered them away from the field.

Relationship of Participation in an Optional Student-Run Clinic to Medical School Grades

Background: Medical school is arduous and participating in optional service-learning activities may compete with the required curriculum. The student-run SHARING Clinics at the University of Nebraska are managed by a Board of students who commit to extensive voluntary participation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether optional service-learning participation resulted in compromised medical school grades. Methods: Of 908 students who matriculated between 1999 and 2006, 87 served on the SHARING Board. A 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the grade point averages of Board members and non-members before and after participating on the Board. Results: The grades for SHARING Board members and non-members were not statistically different. The study had sufficient statistical power to detect even a small effect size. Conclusions: Concern about compromised academic performance appears to be an invalid reason to avoid service-learning participation. The benefits of participation appear to outweigh the costs.

Developing an Online Prematriculation Orientation Program and Its Relation to Student Performance in the First Class Taken in Medical School

Background: In 2004 the University of Nebraska College of Medicine developed an online prematriculation program, Fast Start, to introduce students to the environment and expectations in medical school. Purpose: This quantitative study was conducted to determine whether using Fast Start correlated with performance in the gross anatomy course. Methods: A hierarchical regression analysis was used to correlate grades in gross anatomy with a set of common prediction variables and a variable for use of Fast Start. Results: The results showed that the predictive power of the full model, including the Fast Start variable, was slightly stronger than for the reduced model. A separate model verified the absence of an interaction between Fast Start use and prior academic ability. Conclusions: The online Fast Start program provided an efficient and effective method of delivering a prematriculation student orientation experience; its use was associated with marginally improved performance in a medical school course.

Don’t manage the conflict: transform it through collaboration

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A preliminary review of a pilot curriculum to teach open surgical skills during general surgery residency with initial feedback

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study is to provide a preliminary review of a pilot curriculum to teach open surgical skills during general surgery residency and obtain initial feedback. DATA SOURCE The general surgery residency program introduced an open surgical skills training curriculum in 2009. The skills sessions are undertaken under the guidance of the faculty. An annual survey was distributed to the residents and faculty to obtain their feedback. CONCLUSIONS A total of 50 sessions were conducted over the last 2 years. Ninety-five percent of the residents perceived this educational activity to be above average to exceptional with nearly 70% rating it as exceptional. Sixty-three percent of the faculty perceived it as above average to exceptional, with nearly 40% rating it as exceptional. The open surgical skills training curriculum was rated as the most educational activity in the program by residents and faculty alike.

A survey of the educational environment for oncologists as perceived by surgical oncology professionals in India

BackgroundThe current educational environment may need enhancement to tackle the rising cancer burden in India. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of Surgical Oncologists to identify their perceptions of the current state of Oncology education in India.MethodsAn Institutional Review Board approved questionnaire was developed to target the audience of the 2009 annual meeting of the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology in India. The survey collected demographic information and asked respondents to provide their opinions about Oncology education in India.ResultsA total of 205 out of 408 attendees participated in the survey with a 42.7% response rate. The majority of respondents felt that Oncology education was poor to fair during medical school (75%), residency (56%) and for practicing physicians (71%). The majority of participants also felt that the quality of continuing medical education was poor and that minimal emphasis was placed on evidence based medicine.ConclusionsThe results of our survey demonstrate that the majority of respondents feel that the current educational environment for Oncology in India should be enhanced. The study identified perceptions of several gaps and needs, which can be the targets for implementing measures to enhance the training of Oncology professionals.