Sustained Increased Entry of Medical Students into Surgical Careers: A Student-Led Approach

Objective: To determine whether a surgical interest group run entirely by preclinical students can influence medical students to enter general surgery residency programs.

Design: Matriculation rates into general surgery and affiliated subspecialties from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons residency match lists were compared to National Residency Match Program data for all U.S. senior students from 2006 to 2014.

Setting: The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Results: After establishing the interest group, entrance rates into general surgery programs tripled from the early 2000s to more than 12% of 2006 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons graduates. After 8 years, our data illustrate sustained results, with more than 8% of students entering surgical residencies, significantly higher than the National Residency Match Program's average (p < 0.025).

Conclusions: Surgical interest groups spark early and lasting interest in surgery that may influence residency decisions. Moreover, these programs can be successfully run entirely by preclinical students and implemented in other institutions.