One-week experience in the general surgery outpatient clinic for preclinical medical students.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the early introduction of observership in general surgery outpatient clinic for preclinical students could increase their interest in general surgery and ease their concerns, and to assess its potential effect on their careers in general surgery.


METHODS
A structured observership program was conducted at the Peking Union Medical College. A total of 83 preclinical students were observed in the general surgery outpatient clinic. Students were given a format survey before and after the observership.


RESULTS
All students completed the early observing experience in general surgery. All students thought it worthwhile and recommended more such observership. Students had more interest in general surgery and higher possibility in choosing general surgery as a career. Their level of comfort and confidence in future clerkship was also improved. Most of the students thought the observership could improve their communication with surgeon teachers and patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The observership in general surgery outpatient clinic for preclinical medical students can increase their interest and career possibility in general surgery. It can also significantly boost their confidence and comfort in their future surgical clerkship and improve communication with surgeon teachers and patients.
Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
Xiequn
X
Xu
Zhong
Z
Wang
Hui
H
Pan
Ping
P
Yang
Jianchun
J
Yu
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors