title: Innovative introduction to surgery in the preclinical years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lack of exposure to surgery in the preclinical years of medical school contributes to students' negative opinions of the field and to low application rates to categorical surgical programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty preclinical medical students attended a series of 16 seminars and practice sessions covering the gamut of surgical specialties and basic technical skills. Students were given a Likert format survey before and after taking the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students gave high ratings to course content (4.26/5) and lecturers (4.54/5). Students' confidence in their surgical skills doubled (1.45/5 to 3/5, P < .0001), and their perceived readiness for the surgical clerkship increased by 73% (1.63/5 to 2.82/5, P = .007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preclinical years offer a promising venue for improving medical student interest and performance in surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr. H3591, Stanford, CA 94305-5641, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riboh
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Curet
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krummel
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*