Medical Students and Surgery Observations: Frequencies and Approvals
Interacting with surgical environments has always been a profound and vital part of the medical education journey, especially for future surgical nurses and doctors. In my hometown, a university offers surgical programs for nurses and doctors. However, my mother chose to go into the nursing program instead, where she successfully secured an internship in the operating room (O.R.). Despite the brief internship period, she was offered a position before graduation and was employed post-graduation, all while helping to establish two surgical centers. She has been a surgical nurse for 16 to 17 years now. This inspired me to delve further into the specifics of how often medical students can observe surgeries during their clinical rotations.
In medical school, students typically experience clinical rotations during their 3rd and 4th years. During these rotations, one of their responsibilities is to observe surgeries. Teaching hospitals that host medical students for these rotations maintain a list of approved students which must be cleared by the hospital and surgical departments. Senior staff and attending physicians, as well as nurses and residents, are well-versed in the list of students who are on the rotation for that week or a particular month. During interactions with patients, students are introduced by senior staff and obtain consents from the patients.
Observation Frequency for Medical Students
Observing surgeries is only one aspect of the extensive learning experience for medical students. Within their 3rd year clerkships, they need to interview patients, examine them, plan lab workups, diagnose and devise treatment plans, and frequently follow up on admitted patients. These responsibilities ensure that the time spent observing surgeries is not overwhelming or excessive. Considering the limited number of clinical rotation weeks, such as 4, 6, or even 8, there is ample time for students to gain comprehensive skills beyond just surgical techniques.
Senior medical students often have the opportunity to choose electives in specialties that interest them. An elective in surgery provides more chances to observe surgeries and, in some cases, even assist the lead surgeon. For 3rd and 4th-year students, the observation frequency can vary based on these electives and electives aimed at gaining more O.R. time.
Approval and Authorization Processes
For a medical student to observe a surgery, several steps must be followed. Third-year students generally observe surgeries as part of their 3rd-year clerkships, and would only have this opportunity after being assigned to a faculty preceptor with the necessary surgical privileges. The student must have been previously cleared by the hospital and surgical departments to enter the surgery suite. Patients also need to authorize the attendance of a “learner” unless it is a teaching hospital, where authorization is obtained through a general consent signed at the time of admission to the facility.
During the 4th year, many courses are electives, offering more opportunities to observe or participate in surgeries. However, it's important to note that most general surgeries and orthopedic surgeries are now performed laparoscopically. This technology, which requires only one person to cut and tie, makes it challenging for students to play a key role during these procedures.
Advancing as a Surgeon
To become a surgeon, sign up for surgical electives at residency sites where you plan to enter after medical school. These rotations offer valuable hands-on experience and can significantly contribute to your decision-making and specialization as a surgical professional.
Understanding the frequency and approval processes for observing surgeries is crucial for medical students. By being well-versed in these practices, students can make the most of their clinical rotations and prepare for their future careers in healthcare.