Attitudes, motivators, and barriers to a career in surgery: a national study of U.K. undergraduate medical students.
BACKGROUND
Numerous factors influence the career choices of undergraduate medical students, although little work has focused specifically on the surgical specialties. We aimed to investigate medical students' early experiences of surgery along with the motivators and barriers to selecting a surgical career.


METHODS
All final-year medical students were invited to participate in an online survey. A range of quantitative data (expressed as a proportion of total respondents) and qualitative data (grouped and thematically analyzed) were collected to evaluate students' attitudes to careers in surgery and potential influences on these.


RESULTS
A total of 482 students from 20 medical schools throughout England and Wales completed the survey. Overall, 91% of respondents had work experience before medical school, in which the greatest satisfaction was reported in the 21% who undertook placements in surgery. In addition, 58% expressed a desire to spend time working abroad and 59% to undertake a period of research; the primary motivator for both was career/professional development. Surgery was the most popular career choice amongst respondents. The 2 most important factors in decisions pertaining to their career were reported as interest in the specialty and work-life balance. Students draw career advice from numerous sources, most commonly mentors (49%) and student surgical societies (46%). Only 1% wanted more website information, with personal contact being paramount.


CONCLUSIONS
It is vital for the continuing strength of the profession and the quality of surgery for the public that we continue to attract the best undergraduates into careers in surgery. Surgeons of all grades must be aware that how they are perceived by students affects future career choices. Early experiences of surgery are fundamental in assisting medical students to make informed career choices.
Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom; Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom.
Paul A
PA
Sutton
Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
John
J
Mason
Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom; Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom.
Dale
D
Vimalachandran
Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom; East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Sussex, United Kingdom. Electronic address: smcnally@rcseng.ac.uk.
Scarlett
S
McNally
D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D013043:Specialties, Surgical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; career; medical student; surgery; undergraduate