Understanding UK medical students' perspectives on a career in cardiothoracic surgery

Abstract

Objectives: The UK postgraduate training program in cardiothoracic surgery is challenging and competitive, with trainees choosing the field for different reasons. This study aims to identify factors that influence medical students in pursuing a career within cardiothoracic surgery.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in which a questionnaire was anonymously filled out by medical students across 17 medical schools in the United Kingdom. An online survey platform was used for survey distribution and analysis. A mixed-methods approach was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Data collection consisted of a series of closed questions and 1 open-ended question. The questions focused on the attitudes toward, knowledge of, and exposure to cardiothoracic surgery. Results:The survey yielded 265 responses. Interest in cardiothoracic surgery was seen in 45.3% of participants, with the leading factor for pursuing this career being lifestyle factors (50%), closely followed by the career opportunities (42.9%) and the aid of mentors (31%). Some discouraging factors were: Difficulty of learning material (37.7%), length of the training program (27.4%), competition in the field (26%), stress (24.3%), and lifestyle factors (22.1%). PERSPECTIVEAttracting enthusiastic individuals to the specialty is essential to the sustainability of cardiothoracic surgery. In this study, we aimed to understand the influences behind the perceptions of cardiothoracic surgery amongst UK medical students and identify strategies that could ameliorate specialty numbers, through the distribution of a multiuniversity survey targeting medical students of all years.

Commentary: Perception is reality, but reality is how you make them feel

“…However, somewhere along the path to finishing medical school there is attrition in this potential match. As Axiaq and colleagues 1 have suggested in this issue of the Journal , the degree to which this disconnect exists may contribute to an impending low supply and high demand crisis. Part of being able to avert any future shortages comes in the form of understanding the ongoing reasons for a possible supply shortage.…”

“…In this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study, the authors sought to further delineate the specific factors attracting or deterring medical school applicants to a CTS career. 1 As many already understand, early exposure to CTS was a strong determinant and played a critical role in promoting interest in the field among other factors. Types of exposure associated with the greatest interest included research, surgical teaching during cardiothoracic anatomy, and job shadowing.…”

Commentary: Marketing meets medical education

“…It follows that developing well-trained cardiothoracic surgeons is a matter of significant public health interest. Given that 100% of trainees originate in a medical school somewhere, it seems somewhat surprising that the types of recruitment strategies outlined in the manuscript by Axiaq and colleagues 2 aren't more prevalent. Despite the self-evident fact that students are unlikely to pursue a specialty to which they have never been exposed, many students complete their medical education without ever having set foot in a cardiothoracic operating room.…”

“…According to the data presented here, 22.2% of respondents had no exposure to cardiothoracic surgery, whereas fewer than 40 total respondents reported an “unenjoyable experience” within the specialty. 2 This suggests that exposure, rather than persuasion, represents the immediate challenge.…”

“…The authors suggest several strategies for promotion: mentorship, research opportunities, surgical teaching during cardiothoracic anatomy, and initiatives by the national societies. 2 This approach seems to view the “competition” as members of other specialties who are similarly engaged in these same types of recruitment efforts. However, if one considers the overall scale of the attention economy, competition for the best applicants extends to anything that occupies the focus of the target customer.…”