J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2025 Jul 29. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-25-00062. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Early exposure to surgical specialties markedly affects medical students’ career interests and preparedness. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program in fostering interest, enhancing knowledge, and building mentorship connections among medical students.
METHODS: The program targeted rising 2nd-year medical students and provided surgical and clinical shadowing, academic lectures, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities. A mixed-methods approach was used, including pre- and postprogram surveys analyzed for quantitative and qualitative data. Participants self-reported knowledge, skills, and career intentions using Likert scales. Changes in responses were assessed using paired t-tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Three years of programming were successfully completed, and survey results were provided for the later 2 programming years, including 2023 summer and 2024 summer. Among 20 survey participants’ self-reported knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology, and pathology increased from 4/10 pre-program to 8/10 postprogram (P < 0.001). Subjective confidence in reading radiographic images (4/10 to 9/10, P < 0.001) and performing basic orthopaedic physical examinations (3/10 to 7/10, P < 0.001) also improved. Students’ self-reported operating room etiquette and fundamental surgical principles improved from 5/10 to 8/10 (P < 0.001). Interest in pursuing orthopaedic surgery rose from 50% preprogram to 95% postprogram. Participants rated program effectiveness as 10/10 and 85% reported connecting with at least one potential mentor.
CONCLUSION: The Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program markedly enhanced participants’ self-reported knowledge, skills, and career intentions in orthopaedics. Statistically significant improvements in educational outcomes and mentorship highlight the program’s value as a replicable model for introducing medical students to orthopaedic surgery and addressing gaps in early musculoskeletal education.
PMID:40737701 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-D-25-00062
