Inspiring Tomorrow’s Surgeons: The Benefits of Student Surgical Society Membership?>

ObjectivesTo assess the perceived value of medical school student surgical society membership and its effect on determining future career aspirations.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingThree UK medical school student surgical societies.ParticipantsUndergraduate and postgraduate students.ResultsOf 119 students, 60 (50.4%) completed the survey. Of the respondents, 62.3% indicated that the surgical society had increased their awareness and knowledge about the different surgical specialties. Of the respondents who had decided on a career in surgery before joining the society, 67.6% stated that participating in society events had better prepared them for the career. Plastic surgery (13.3%), general surgery (11.7%), and neurosurgery (11.7%) were the 3 most popular specialties for future careers. Surgical skills workshops (21.9%), conferences (21.1%), and careers talks (16.4%) were chosen by students as the most useful career-guiding events organized by surgical societies.ConclusionParticipation in medical school surgical societies is perceived as a valuable part of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in aiding students to decide on future careers.