DOI: 10.1097/00000539-199802001-00170
,
Issn Print: 0003-2999
Publication Date: 1998/02/01
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
 |
Checking for direct PDF access through Ovid | |
Excerpt
INTRODUCTION: In response to historically low applications for anesthesiology residencies [1], a summer externship in anesthesiology for first-year medical students was designed. [2] Evaluation by participants after the first year (1996) led to program changes. [2] Further evaluation was sought from participants as well as the anesthesia community, after the second year (1997) of the program.
METHODS: All first-year students at our Medical School received letters describing a 4-8 week summer experience in anesthesiology. Students completing externships in 1997 were asked to evaluate the program through a written survey. In addition, all anesthesiologists practicing in West Virginia received a letter which described the 1997 program and asked whether they wanted to sponsor an extern at their hospital in 1998. Responses were evaluated by the externship directors.
RESULTS: 8 of 85 first-year medical students requested, and 7 completed, anesthesiology externships. Unsolicited requests to participate were also received from 2 students at another in-state school and from 1 outside the state. Students completing externships reported interest in anesthesiology as a career. They reported hands-on experience as the best program feature, and competition with other operating room rotators-(respiratory therapists, paramedics) as the worst feature. They recommended expanding the program to include more lectures and rotations. Externs from the preceding summer are now requesting clinical electives in anesthesiology. Three practicing anesthesiologists in West Virginia are interested in sponsoring medical students at their home institutions.
CONCLUSIONS: Given the opportunity, first-year medical students elect summer externships in anesthesiology, and express satisfaction with their experience. Practicing anesthesiologists express interest in sponsoring anesthesiology externs at their hospitals.
