Surgical residents as medical student mentors.
BACKGROUND
Medical students' decreasing interest in surgery may be caused by the inadequate availability of role models. We believe that surgical residents show the qualities of outstanding surgical mentors and are in a key position to influence students' career choices.


METHODS
In 2004-2005, 117 medical students at Mount Sinai School of Medicine completed their third-year surgery clerkship. They were asked to complete an anonymous survey regarding a career in surgery and surgical mentors.


RESULTS
A total of 107 students (91%) completed the survey. Seventy-nine percent were influenced positively toward a surgical career after the clerkship. A higher fraction of these students identified a mentor or role model than the students who did not increase their interest in surgery (95% vs 52%). Residents scored higher than attendings in 12 of 14 qualities describing outstanding clinical mentors (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Role models are crucial in bolstering medical students' interest in surgical careers. Residents are identified as having qualities that are essential to being an outstanding mentor and residents may play a role in influencing students' career choices.
Nguyen
Scott Q
SQ
Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 5 E. 98th St., 15th Floor, Box 1259, New York, NY 10029, USA. scott.nguyen@mssm.edu
Divino
Celia M
CM
D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008611:Mentors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009519:New York City; D010819:Physician's Role; D012381:Role Playing; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data