title: Medical student subinternships in surgery: characterization and needs assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical students commonly enroll in courses known as "subinternships" before residency application. This study investigated the experiences and needs of students completing subinternships in surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic surveys were sent to medical students applying to the surgery residency program at our institution and to medical student clerkship directors for distribution nationally. Approximately 700 surveys were distributed with 275 completed (39%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one percent of respondents indicated subinternships influenced specialty choice, and 82% of this group applied in general surgery. General surgery applicants rated mentorship (93%) and clerkship experience (92%) as important factors for specialty choice. Technical skills education was rated as beneficial by 89% of respondents, but formal laboratories were included only in 21% of courses. Only 49% received course objectives, and less than 10% were given a reading schedule.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Opportunity exists to define a curriculum for surgical subinternships in order to address student needs for specific didactics for residency preparation and technical skill enhancement.
authors: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. b.lindeman@jhmi.edu
authors: Brenessa M
authors: BM
authors: Lindeman
authors: Pamela A
authors: PA
authors: Lipsett
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Alseidi
authors: Anne O
authors: AO
authors: Lidor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D002321:Career Choice; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D009048:Motor Skills; D020380:Needs Assessment; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States