Pre-clinical medical students' perception of surgical professions – too demanding and difficult to balance with private life?

Background: Surgical professions in Western Europe deal with serious challenges to inspire students to pursue a surgical career and counteract demographic change. Students’ interest in sub-specialization is influenced by socio-economic factors including work-life balance, flexible working hours and appreciation. However, robust data about the current perception of surgical professions in the early stage of medical education is lacking so far. Methods: We performed a voluntary online survey amongstudents who participated in an elective neurosurgical course during their preclinical stage of medical studies. The survey addressed perception of surgical professions, including personal requirements, profession impact on health and lifestyle and the topic of gender disparities and family planning. We also assessed viewpoints on support programs facilitating compatibility of surgical training and family life. Results: A total of 109 students participated in the voluntary survey (66.1% female; 33.0% male, 0.9% unknown). 55.5% of respondents had prior experiences with surgical professions and 33.9% planned to pursue a surgical career. Most respondents rated surgical professions as more demanding for the physical health and more harmful for the health of physicians than other specialties. However, mental implications were higher rated in other professions. Interestingly, female participants agreed to higher career chances for male residents as well as to difficulties to combine family planning and performing the surgical profession, whereas male participants remained more neutral to both statements. Overall, 89.0% of participants expressed interest in support programs increasing compatibility of professional and personal life. Furthermore, 65.1% of participants would be willing to accept an extension of their surgical resident time by a year. Conclusions: In summary, pre-clinical medical students rate surgical disciplines as highly demanding, competitive and difficult to balance with private life. Early awareness of structured support programs may positively influence may improve sustainable resident application numbers in surgical sub-specialties.