title: Inspiring the next generation of Cardiothoracic Surgeons: an easily reproducible, sustainable event increases UK undergraduate interest in the specialty.
abstract: There is believed to be declining interest in cardiothoracic surgical careers among UK medical students. Relative lack of undergraduate exposure to the specialty compared with other surgical specialties may be partly responsible. Using pre- and postintervention analysis, we assessed the ability of a student-led extracurricular engagement event to increase undergraduate interest in the specialty. Fifty-four students attended and 50 (93%) participated in the study. Of the total, 32% of delegates had identified a cardiothoracic mentor, with only 8 and 4% exposed to cardiac and thoracic surgery, respectively, compared with 50% exposed to other surgical specialties. Self-reported understanding of cardiothoracic training increased from 20 to 80% (P < 0.001) after the 1-day event; 77% of delegates reported increased interest in the specialty. We demonstrate that it is possible to provide a free-to-user event that increases engagement using a student-led design. Similar events could increase interest in the specialty and may improve recruitment rates. Current levels of cardiothoracic exposure are very low among UK students.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK ab7614@my.bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bridgeman
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Aroon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devnani
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Krizun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Loganathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McElnay
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Papworth Hospital, University of Cambridge Health Partners, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coonar
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education*; D002321:Career Choice; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D066231:Surgeons / Q000193:education*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000193:education*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Cardiac surgery; Education; Thoracic surgery; Training