Characteristics and Experiences Associated with Interest in Global Surgery: What Brings US Medical Students to the Field?

Introduction: An estimated 5 billion people lack access to safe surgical care. Development and nurturing of medical student interest in global surgery can play a part in addressing this need. This study examines characteristics and experiences of medical students in the United States (US) associated with interest in global surgery.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of US-based medical students was performed. Student leaders from the Global Surgery Student Alliance were recruited via email and distributed the online survey to peers at their institutions. Responses from students currently training outside of the US were excluded, as were surveys with <80% completion. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were performed with p < 0.05 indicating significance in R (Vienna, Austria).

Results: About 708 responses from students at 38 US medical schools were analyzed. 251 students (34.6%) identified as being interested in global surgery. After adjusting for covariates on multivariable regression, demographic factors significantly associated with interest in global surgery were Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (in comparison to Non-Hispanic White/Caucasian, OR = 1.30) and being born outside of the United States (OR = 1.21). Increased interest was also associated with previous clinical experiences in low or middle-income countries (OR = 1.19), public or global health experiences (OR = 1.18), and international service experiences (OR = 1.13).

Conclusions: While many factors may influence student interest in global surgery, previous global health experience and nonclinical global service work are important predictors regardless of background. Our results suggest that medical educators should look to both international clinical and nonclinical collaborations as a means to cultivate and nourish global surgery interest in medical students.