key: cord-0702901-hccrq61z
authors: McLean, Kenneth A.
title: Medical student engagement with surgery and research during the COVID-19 pandemic: Supporting the future workforce for post-pandemic surgical recovery
date: 2021-09-29
journal: Int J Surg
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.106105
sha: c18ba82cf5ee1450256d26dd9971e6ffbe968aa6
doc_id: 702901
cord_uid: hccrq61z

nan

Medical students have lost invaluable exposure to surgery and research during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of placements being cancelled or converted online 1 . As such, they have been denied opportunities and mentorship which have historically influenced a surgical and/or clinical-academic career [2] [3] .

The resulting impact on career decision-making remains to be determined. In response to these concerns, the Student Audit and Research in Surgery (STARSurg) Collaborative partnered with the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) and Surgical Research Society (SRS) to deliver virtual regional events in the UK and Ireland. These sought to promote engagement with surgery and academia, and local networking among those with Most respondents had either decided on a surgical career (47.6%, n=187) or were considering one (40.4%, n=148). Relatively few had decided on non-surgical careers (12.7%, n=50). Overall, respondents reported a significant increase in knowledge and intention to pursue a surgical and/or academic career following attendance ( Figure 1) .

Notably, those undecided on a surgical career or not previously considering a surgical career reported a significantly larger increase in knowledge and intention to consider a surgical career than those who had already decided. This was not observed between these groups when considering academic careers. Overall, at a time when surgery and academia are already grappling with how to improve inclusivity and representation 5 , further lack of exposure due to COVID-19 risks the loss of aspiring academic surgeons and exacerbation of existing inequities. Concrete efforts at grassroot and national levels are required to ensure we continue to encourage a representative and research-active surgical workforce for the future.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned, internally peer-reviewed

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK medical education. A nationwide student survey

The surgeon's perspective: promoting and discouraging factors for choosing a career in surgery as perceived by surgeons

The clinical academic workforce of the future: a crosssectional study of factors influencing career decision-making among clinical PhD students at two research-intensive UK universities

STARSurg Collaborative

The Royal College -Our Professional Home: An independent review on diversity and inclusion for the Royal College of Surgeons of England

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The data presented is based on post-event feedback collected as part of evaluation of the academic surgery evening events. No ethical approval is required.

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