Role Models as a Factor Influencing Career Choice Among Female Surgical Residents inSaudi Arabia

Background and purposeRole models in the medical field are professional and experienced persons whose actions unconsciously inspire juniors to strive to be like them. To our knowledge, no studies have examined whether having a female surgical role model has influenced women to pursue a surgical career in Saudi Arabia. Hence, we sought to evaluate the effect of having a female surgical role model and the presence of female surgeons on female surgical residents and their choice of surgery as a career.MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional, survey- based study design, conducted between June 2020 and January 2021, in which female surgical residents completed a questionnaire on their perceptions and influence of role models in general surgery specialty at the time they pursuit a career in surgery.ResultsA total of 51 respondents (78.5%) completed the questionnaire. The majority of them (78.4%) had a role model and (19.6%) indicated that their role model was a female. Of those who had a role model, (67.5%) agreed that they had a positive influence on their surgical career choice. Clinical and operation skills were reported as the most important factor to be considered about role models. Working directly with a male surgical consultant and female surgical residents left a positive influence but this did not reach a statistical significance.ConclusionPersonal exposure to role models can have a positive influence on female surgical residents in choosing a surgical career. provide a appropriate role models as well as formal mentorship programs are warranted, that would allow female trainees to interact with senior surgeon mentors, thereby drawing attention to the field of surgery.

The impact of virtual medical student surgical conferences

Background In recent years, the number of people pursuing a surgical career in the UK has decreased. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of surgical placements for medical students and has affected surgical education. This study evaluates the perceptions and impact of a 1-day virtual surgical conference for medical students considering pursuing a surgical career. Methods All delegates of the 2021 Barts and The London International Surgical Conference were invited to participate in two online surveys pre- and post-conference. Data were collected and analysed to evaluate delegates' reasons for attending the conference, and attitudes towards virtual conferences and a surgical career before and after the conference. Results Out of 132 participants, 106 (80.3%) completed both the pre- and post-conference surveys. Clinical students showed a statistically significant difference in interest in pursuing a surgical career after the conference than before (P=0.03), unlike pre-clinical students (P=0.12). Post-conference, 43 (40.6%) preferred a virtual to a face-to-face conference, which was a slight increase from 40 (37.7%) pre-conference, while 73 (68.9%) and 80 (75.5%) participants favoured virtual talks and presentations respectively. In contrast, only 12 (11.3%) and 21 (19.8%) students preferred workshops and networking virtually. Furthermore, delegates liked the global accessibility and environmentally-friendly nature of virtual conferences but found they can be less engaging and be disrupted by a poor internet connection. Conclusions Virtual surgical conferences have many benefits and can help encourage medical students towards a surgical career. They could help bridge the surgical educational gap in medical school during these unprecedented times. Virtual conferences, which have a broader and more inclusive reach, could be an important complement to conventional conferences after the pandemic.

SP10.2.2 Improving undergraduate surgical education: Comparing findings from the ASiT consensus report with the RCS Undergraduate Surgical Curriculum and GMC Outcomes for Graduates

Aims Previous work by ASiT has shown that undergraduate years can have a significant impact on the decision to pursue a surgical career. The Royal College of Surgeons England launched their recommendations in the undergraduate surgical curriculum in 2015. Our aim was to ascertain whether any additional areas of importance could be highlighted. Methods A consensus document was developed, using the RCS undergraduate surgical curriculum and GMC Outcomes for Graduates as baseline guides. An external advisory group made additional recommendations for inclusion which was then presented and discussed at a face-to-face consensus session at the 2019 ASiT International Surgical Conference. A consensus threshold of 80% was accepted. Results A total of 69 ‘core’ topics were reviewed and discussed, of which 10 did not reach consensus. These topics were predominantly considered to be ‘specialist’ in nature, and were under the domains of Head and Neck/ENT, neurosurgery, paediatric or vascular surgery. Of note, knot tying, which is included in the GMC guidance, was considered beyond the required level of a graduate and more suitable for those with the interest or intent to pursue a career in surgery. Conclusions Our consensus meeting and subsequent report has highlighted differences between the current available guidance and what medical students and junior doctors consider to be ‘core’ undergraduate surgical knowledge and skills. Topics that did not meet consensus may form areas of need in early postgraduate training. Our findings should be used in addition to the RCS and GMC guidance for undergraduate surgical education.

SP2.2.15MRCS performance predicts surgical career outcomes

Aims Successful completion of the MRCS examination is mandatory for progression into higher surgical (registrar) training in the UK. National selection for training programmes is a highly competitive process. Despite this, the ranking of applicants does not currently include MRCS performance scores. This offers a unique opportunity to compare two independent assessments of surgical trainees to establish whether MRCS performance can predict future surgical career outcomes and competitiveness in training. Methods All UK candidates who attempted MRCS between 2007-2020 were matched to career outcome data using the GMC list of registered medical practitioners and anonymised (n = 2910). Chi-squared tests determined associations with first attempt MRCS pass/fail outcomes. Multinomial regression models were developed to establish the predictive power of success at MRCS in determining surgical specialty and training deanery choices. Results There was statistically significant variability in MRCS Part A pass rates, ranging from 55.1%-76.7% between surgical specialties (P = 0.001) but no significant variability in Part B pass rates (P = 0.655). There was significant variability in Part A and Part B pass rates between training deaneries (P = 0.010 and P = 0.036 respectively). Pass rates ranged from 59.9%-77.7% for Part A and 70.1%-85.0% for Part B between training deaneries. Those in more competitive specialties and training deaneries performed better in MRCS in terms of first attempt pass rate, scores and number of attempts taken to pass. Conclusion MRCS performance is an early predictor of surgical career choice and competitiveness. Trainees who perform well at MRCS are more likely to enter competitive surgical specialties and training deaneries.

Impact of Early Exposure to Robotic Surgery Among Pre-clinical Medical Students on Career Choice and Simulation Skills

We aimed to assess whether early exposure of medical students to robotic surgery training influences their interest in a surgical career and improves scores on objective simulation tasks. Medical students were invited to participate in robotic online training modules, robotic simulation exercises followed by a hands-on robotic dry-lab session. Pre- and post-simulator scores were recorded. A 29-question anonymous survey was recorded before and after the lab. Seventy percent reported that the training had a positive impact on influencing their decision to pursue a general surgery career. Students showed significantly improved skill and performance on simulation activities post-training. After the training, students felt knowledgeable about robotics, more comfortable operating robotically, and thought that robotic surgery would hold a significant place in the future of surgery. Exposing students to robotic training positively impacts their perception of surgery as a career choice and results in improvement in objective scores on simulation tasks.

Balancing a with a personal life surgical career

Rest, hobbies and family are important for a healthy workforce.

245 An Introduction to Surgery: Effectiveness of An Online, Lecture-Based Programme in Providing Surgical Career Guidance for Pre-Clinical Students

Aim Early exposure to surgery has been found to impact medical students’ decisions to pursue a career in surgery. Despite this, students are often not exposed to surgical specialties until senior years of medical school. The aim of this study was to determine if a student-led, three-month online lecture series can facilitate early exposure to surgical careers. Method Participants volunteered to complete pre- and post-lecture questionnaires. The four domains discussed across the lecture series included: what a surgical career entails, the day-to-day life of a surgeon, advances in surgery and surgical portfolio. Participants self-rated confidence in the knowledge of each of the four domains was measured on a five-step Likert scale. Changes in perceived confidence were measured using a paired Student’s t-test. Data were analysed using R 4.03 (Vienna, Austria). The threshold of significance was <0.05. Results A total of 45 respondents completed both pre- and post-lecture questionnaires. Most respondents (57.8%) were first- or second-year students. Following the course, there was a significant increase in confidence across all four domains investigated (mean rating 2.64 vs 4.07, p < 0.001). More than 9 out of 10 respondents (99.3%) gained new knowledge and (95.2%) agreed that an online event format did not hinder their learning. Conclusions Student-led online lecture series can increase knowledge of core concepts pertaining to a career in surgery for pre-clinical students. The findings provide a basis for further large-scale investigation of surgical education during early years of medical school and for the potential value of extracurricular, student- or trainee-led courses.

777 Changing Student Perceptions of Surgical Careers

Aim Increasing student interest in pursuing a surgical career at an undergraduate level. Background Data suggests that interest in surgical specialties may be declining, even from as early on as medical school. However, studies suggest that engagement with extra-curricular activities influences their likelihood to pursue surgical careers. Our study aimed to assess changes in student perception towards surgical careers following participation in a three-week surgical course. Method Students on placement at St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey were invited to a course of 3 one-hour sessions covering practical surgical skills and lectures. Participants were tutored by Foundation-Year-Two doctors, with oversight of a surgical clinical teaching fellow and senior consultant. Students completed pre- and post-course surveys focusing on surgical interest, surgical skill confidence, placement-participation, and career preparation. The course was delivered through two cycles. Results Cycle one showed statistically significant improvements in suturing-confidence (mean increase 4.05 out of 10, p = 0.001), confidence in hand-ties (3.63 out of 10, p = 0.015) and understanding of developing a surgical portfolio (mean increase 1.95 out of 10, p = 0.005). After a second cycle, including the introduction of a surgical portfolio development lecture, students demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mean scores across all areas. Notably, interest in pursuing a surgical career increased from mean 5.85/10 to 8.8/10 (p = 0.028). Conclusions We demonstrate that a short and easily accessible course can significantly improve student interest and understanding of a surgical career; equipping them with fundamental skills to pursue engagement at the undergraduate level.

1004 Student Perspectives on Surgical Careers

Aim To investigate medical students’ understanding of skills needed as surgeons and how prepared they feel to pursue surgical careers, and to identify methods to support and prepare medical students who want to pursue surgical careers. Method A student-led National Surgical Conference (Cardiff, 2018) ran a consensus and debate session entitled ‘Are students adequately prepared for a career in surgery at medical school?’, including a questionnaire addressing elements of medical school curriculums relevant to surgery and the importance of developing technical skills and non-technical skills (NTS). Results 60 delegates completed the questionnaire: Year1-3 (n = 38), Year4-6 (n = 15), intercalating (n = 4), foundation doctors (n = 3). Delegates most frequently stated specific surgical skills (20.1%), broader surgical skills (20.1%) and interpersonal skills (17.2%) as the most important skills to be a surgeon. 75% rated technical skills and NTS as equally important, 25% rated technical skills as more important. 12.5% felt unconfident in their NTS to be an efficient surgical team-member, 37.5% felt between confident and unconfident, and 50% were confident. 26.3% felt unprepared to pursue surgical careers following medical school, 70.2% felt between prepared and unprepared, and 3.5% felt prepared. More practical surgical skills sessions (35%), career pathway sessions (15%), surgically relevant teaching (16%) and theatre or surgical placements (19%) were the most frequently wanted improvements. Conclusions Prospective surgeons highly valued developing surgical skills and overall do not feel prepared to pursue surgery. Medical students would benefit from education on the surgical career pathway and the importance of the non-practical components of surgery, including patient safety and NTS.