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World Journal of Surgery
Published in: World Journal of Surgery 2/2018

01-02-2018 | Original Scientific Report

Trauma Leagues—A Novel Option to Attract Medical Students to a Surgical Career

Authors: Romeo Lages Simões, Alcir Escocia Dorigatti, Henrique José Virgili Silveira, Thiago Rodrigues Araujo Calderan, Sandro Rizoli, Gustavo Pereira Fraga

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

Background

In Brazil, most medical schools do not offer trauma surgery in their undergraduate curriculum. The Trauma Leagues arose in Brazil as an important promoter of trauma education and stimulated activities related to surgical skills and practices. In recent decades, studies have demonstrated that the number of surgical residency applicants has decreased worldwide. Strategies to motivate medical students to choose surgery are needed.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of participation in the Unicamp Trauma League (UTL) during a 20-year period in the choice for a surgical career.

Methods

The study included 276 students in a Brazilian university hospital who were part of the Trauma League. Research of records in universities and medical societies about the specialties chosen during residency were evaluated. A Likert questionnaire was sent to participants to evaluate the impact of participating in the Trauma League in the student’s professional career.

Results

The questionnaire was answered by 76% of the participants. Of those, 38.4% chose general surgery. About 55.1% did not know what medical career to choose when joined the league. Participation in the league had an influence on specialty choice in 79.1% of the students. Of those choosing surgery, 93.2% believed that participating in the league had positively influenced their career choice. Overall, 93.1% believed that participating in the league provided knowledge and information that the medical school curriculum was not able to provide.

Conclusion

Participation in Trauma League has been an effective strategy to encourage medical students to choose a career in general surgery in Campinas, Brazil.
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Metadata
Title
Trauma Leagues—A Novel Option to Attract Medical Students to a Surgical Career
Authors
Romeo Lages Simões
Alcir Escocia Dorigatti
Henrique José Virgili Silveira
Thiago Rodrigues Araujo Calderan
Sandro Rizoli
Gustavo Pereira Fraga
Publication date
01-02-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-017-4190-5

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