The Impact of Medical School Experiences in Global Surgery on Perceptions and Career Plans Among U.S. Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing interest among medical students to learn about global surgery and how they can incorporate it into their further training in residency. This study addresses US-based medical student perceptions of global surgery, medical school experiences, and career plans.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of US-based medical students was performed. Univariate and multivariable regression models were constructed to assess the impact of student experiences during medical school and mentor experiences on global surgery perceptions and career plans. Career plans for international surgical mission trips and for global surgery advocacy/research were further evaluated.

Results: Of the 708 responses, 251 (34.6%) students indicated interest in global surgery. Global surgery curricular experiences during medical school were associated with increased odds of believing that global surgery topics should be included in medical school curricula (OR = 2.42, p = 0.021) and having career plans for global surgery research or advocacy (OR = 3.72, p = 0.002). Students with mentors with global surgery research experience were more likely to have career plans for global surgery research or advocacy (OR = 4.36, p = 0.019). Student participation in global health research was associated with lower odds of having career plans for international surgical mission trips (OR = 0.22, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Students with more experience in global surgery view it more favorably, and have greater odds of participating in global surgery in their future careers. There is a desire among the respondent medical students for more global surgery education and mentoring among medical institutions. Therefore, medical schools may benefit by offering more global surgery opportunities at their institutions.

Keywords: career; global health; global surgery; medical student education.