E. M. Scott1, R. E. NeMoyer1, D. H. Blitzer3, J. S. Hanna1, Z. C. Sifri2, V. H. Gracias1, G. L. Peck1 1Robert Wood Johnson – UMDNJ,New Brunswick, NJ, USA 2New Jersey Medical School,Newark, NJ, USA 3MedStar Union Memorial Hospital,Baltimore, MARYLAND, USA
Introduction: While interest in global surgery appears to be increasing among medical students, little information is available regarding student perceptions of global surgery or level of interest in participation. In addition, limited data exists regarding availability and access to global surgery electives for students. This study investigates the influence of student demographics on interest in global surgery, the extent that global surgical burden education has been integrated into medical education curricula across the United States (US), and availability of global surgery electives.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was provided to the American Medical Student Association, who then distributed the survey via email and social media to current medical student members. Descriptive data was compiled regarding interest in and access to global surgery programs; demographic data was analyzed using chi-square testing for categorical variables.
Results: A total of 205 complete surveys were included in analysis. Over 85% of respondents were born in the US, however, 47% reported at least one parent born outside of the US. Respondents were predominantly located in the northeast (70%). A statistically significant association was identified between medical school year and reported interest in global surgery, with a higher proportion of those interested being in their pre-clinical years. A majority (61%) expressed interest in participating in global surgery programs, with top reasons reported as gaining an understanding of international health systems and sociocultural determinants of health. Collectively, 84% of respondents reported that global surgery issues are rarely or never addressed in their required medical school curriculum. Over half of respondents answered, “I don’t know,” when asked if their school offers a global surgery focus or electives within the global health department. Reported barriers to participating in global surgery programs included: funding (87%), scheduling constraints (65%), and language proficiency (51%).
Conclusion: Disparities in global surgery have emerged as an area of interest for medical students. This concern appears to extend beyond country of origin with a curiosity regarding the sociocultural determinants of health, suggesting a genuine commitment to social responsibility. In addition, the data suggests that introduction to global surgery issues may be most effective during pre-clinical years so that students may incorporate potential interest with their clinical aspirations. The data also reveals that many students lack meaningful exposure to global surgery concepts, and are unaware of elective opportunities within their institution. Further study is needed to identify barriers to providing global surgery education either within core curriculum requirements or as electives. Early exposure to issues in global surgery is essential in engaging the next generation of surgeons to address these disparities.