Can I cut it? Medical students' perceptions of surgeons and surgical careers

Abstract Background Recent years have seen a significant drop in applications to surgical residencies. Existing research has yet to explain how medical students make career decisions. This qualitative study explores students' perceptions of surgery and surgeons, and the influence of stereotypes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of surgery 2014-11, Vol.208 (5), p.860-867
Main Authors: Hill, Elspeth J.R., M.B., Ch.B. (Hons), Bowman, Katherine A., M.B., Ch.B, Stalmeijer, Renée E., Ph.D, Solomon, Yvette, Ph.D, Dornan, Tim, M.D., Ph.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude
Career Choice
Careers
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Medical research
Medical students
Qualitative Research
Questionnaires
Recruitment
Role models
Specialties, Surgical
Stereotypes
Stereotyping
Student attitudes
Students, Medical - psychology
Studies
Surgeons - psychology
Surgery
Surgical careers
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom
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Summary:Abstract Background Recent years have seen a significant drop in applications to surgical residencies. Existing research has yet to explain how medical students make career decisions. This qualitative study explores students' perceptions of surgery and surgeons, and the influence of stereotypes on career decisions. Methods Exploratory questionnaires captured students' perceptions of surgeons and surgery. Questionnaire data informed individual interviews, exploring students' perceptions in depth. Rigorous qualitative interrogation of interviews identified emergent themes from which a cohesive analysis was synthesized. Results Respondents held uniform stereotypes of surgeons as self-confident and intimidating; surgery was competitive, masculine, and required sacrifice. To succeed in surgery, students felt they must fit these stereotypes, excluding those unwilling, or who felt unable, to conform. Deviating from the stereotypes required displaying such characteristics to a level exceptional even for surgery; consequently, surgery was neither an attractive nor realistic career option. Conclusions Strong stereotypes of surgery deterred students from a surgical career. As a field, surgery must actively engage medical students to encourage participation and dispel negative stereotypes that are damaging recruitment into surgery.
ISSN:0002-9610
1879-1883
DOI:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.04.016