Australian medical students and their choice of surgery as a career: a review. Issue 9 (16th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grigg, Megan; Arora, Manit; Diwan, Ashish D.
• Is Part Of: ANZ journal of surgery. Volume 84:Issue 9(2014)
• Page Start: 653
• Page End: 655
• Publication Date: 2013-09-16
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1111/ans.12389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1445-1433

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ans12389-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Surgery is an emotionally, physically and mentally challenging profession, and medical students factor in many variables when choosing surgery as a career choice. The aim of this study is to review the available literature on the factors influencing Australian medical students' choice of surgery as their career.</p> </sec> <sec id="ans12389-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A search of EMBASE and MEDLINE with the search terms 'medical students' AND 'surgery'; 'medical students' AND 'career pathways'; 'medical students' AND 'career choices' was conducted. Additionally, Google Scholar and the reference list of some articles were canvassed for suitable areas of study.</p> </sec> <sec id="ans12389-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Lifestyle factors were the main reason influencing medical student's career choices. A balance between work, family and lifestyle was found to be important, and a surgical career choice was not always compatible with this. In particular, female students placed more importance on family and lifestyle factors when opting for non‐surgical careers. Positive exposure and/or experiences in a surgical environment, perceived prestige and perceived financial reward were associated with surgical career choice.</p> </sec> <sec id="ans12389-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>There is a need to better understand the factors influencing surgical and non‐surgical career choice among Australian medical students, and develop appropriate interventions to promote surgery as a career. This article does not discuss personality traits of people who go into surgery.</p> </sec> </abstract>