Impact of an Interprofessional Surgical Skills Workshop on Undergraduate Medical and Nursing Student Interest in a Career in Surgery: A Thematic Analysis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Medical student interest in surgery is decreasing both internationally and in Australia. There is also a current shortage of perioperative nursing staff, and demand for both surgeons and perioperative nurses is only expected to rise. The aim of this qualitative thematic analysis is to explore (1) medical and nursing student's influences on their perspectives on surgery, and (2) the impact of a novel, interprofessional, simulation-based workshop on medical and nursing student interest in surgery as a career. DESIGN: A paired, anonymous pre- and postworkshop written survey was completed by medical and nursing student participants before and immediately after the surgical skills workshop. Thematic analysis of the responses was performed by 2 researchers independently to identify themes and subthemes regarding the study aims. SETTING: The study was conducted at Monash Medical Centre, a tertiary care center in Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-six undergraduate medical and nursing students attended the workshop, consisting of 144 fourth-year medical students (enrolled in a 5-year course) and 32 second-year nursing student volunteers (enrolled in a 3-year course). RESULTS: Analysis of how students' prior surgical experiences impacted their perspective on surgery revealed 5 themes inclusive mentors and role models, learning through active participation, feeling unwelcome or intimidated, demands of the surgical lifestyle, and personal factors that influenced interest in surgery as a career.Most students reported that the workshop had a beneficial effect on their perception of surgery as a career. Analysis of student responses found 3 themes that affected the impact of the workshop on their interest in surgery simulated practice of technical skills, exposure to nontechnical aspects of surgery, and simulation fidelity. CONCLUSIONS: Interprofessional, simulated-based surgical skills workshops may improve medical and nursing students' perceptions of surgery as a career, and should be considered for inclusion in undergraduate medical and nursing curricula.