Impact of mandatory resident work hour limitations on medical students' interest in surgery

Abstract

Background: The number of US medical students applying for general surgery residency has been declining. Recent studies have shown that the issue of "controllable lifestyle" has become a critical factor in medical students' decision-making process. We postulate that widespread implementation of resident work hour limitations would bolster medical students' interest in pursuing surgical careers.

Study design: Students from New York University School of Medicine were surveyed about their attitudes toward work hour limitations and its effect on their interest in pursuing a surgical residency. One hundred thirty-two students participated.

Results: Nearly 95% of respondents believed that work hour limitations were a positive change and, if all other factors were equal, they would choose a training program that used work hour limitations over one that did not. The most common reasons cited in favor of limits were improvements in resident lifestyle (42%) and patient safety (34%). Fifty-three percent of respondents indicated that presence of work hour limitations alone would increase their interest in considering a surgical residency and only 2% of medical students indicated that it would lessen their interest in surgery. Not surprisingly, intellectual interest in a specialty was the most important factor in choosing a residency for 86% of students. Nevertheless, work hour limitations were designated a higher priority than future salary by 55% of medical students.

Conclusions: The presence of work hour limitations has a positive impact on medical students' interest in surgery. Widespread implementation of work hour limitations may bolster the number of applications for surgical residency.