Opportunities in Medical Student Education

Abstract

Many opportunities exist for surgical educators to become closely involved in the education of medical students. This involvement can start early in the basic science curriculum and progress through to the surgical clerkships which represent the most focused periods of surgical study for students and can be influential as they begin to make career decisions. Surgeons have the ability to influence students through formal and informal interactions and can be effective mentors with regard to both clinical and research endeavors. Furthermore, administrative influence serves to enhance interaction between medical students and surgeons creating a very positive exposure to the field. Enthusiasm and creativity should be employed to ensure the best possible core surgical training for our future physicians, regardless of their eventual chosen specialty. This chapter explores the many ways a surgical educator can help to enrich medical education at the student level.