Do you have what it takes? An analysis of the factors associated with the intention to choose a surgical career among medical undergraduates

Abstract

Introduction: The changes in the professional practice have transformed the intention of medical students to choose a surgical career. Aim: Evaluate the factors associated with this intention in a context of accelerated educational and health dynamics. Materials and Method: We evaluated the intention of the students of ten medical schools in Colombia, and the associated factors, through a questionnaire (Likert scale) settled from a literature review. We identify the association between the factors and the intention by using linear regression analysis. The results of the regression are presented by β coefficients (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 252 students (65.87% women) were included in the analysis. The average of the intention was 3.15 ± 1.34 (1-5). The factors significantly associated were: identification with the surgical lifestyle (β = 0.25); identification with models (β = 0.18); personal attributes (β = 0.25) and identification with the professional practice of the surgeon (β = 0.16). We did not find significant associations with gender (women in the specialty), prestige, postgraduate dynamics and future rewards. Conclusion: There is a moderate intention to choose a career in surgery among Colombian medical undergraduates. Choosing this career requires personal attributes, models and identification with the lifestyle and professional practice of the surgeon. Further qualitative studies are necessary to explore these results in depth, as well as interventions to stimulate this intention among students. © 2020, Sociedad de Cirujanos de Chile. All rights reserved.