The “surgical track”—Innovative approaches to counteract the shortage of young recruits in surgery

Abstract

Surgery faces significant challenges resulting from changes in medical education and the declining attractiveness of the surgical career path for aspiring doctors in the western world. For example, students’ expectations of their future workplace have changed, with issues such as career planning uncertainties, an unbalanced work-life balance, and a lack of compatibility of family and occupation becoming increasingly more relevant. The entry of Generation Z into the workforce will also impact surgery. Although women comprise the largest proportion of graduates only a few opt for a career in surgery. The resulting shortage of young surgeons will negatively impact medical care in German surgical units. Intense competition for talents is already emerging in all medical specialties. Thus, hospitals and academic centers are taking various measures to counteract the impending staff shortage, such as summer schools or scholarships with work commitments. Furthermore, regional funding laws are being established. In addition, as there is a declining interest in surgical training, particularly during the course of medical studies, early integration of surgical skills is crucial to counteract this trend. For this reason, we have developed the “surgical track”, designed to offer targeted innovative teaching concepts to get students attracted to surgery at an early stage. The “surgical track” is based on virtual reality (VR) and robotics. Students can practice operations and emergency scenarios through VR simulations and complete practical exercises with robotic systems. High-quality training concepts such as the “surgical track” can help to promote enthusiasm for surgery and impart knowledge at the same time, even if the long-term benefits still need to be evaluated. Through virtual simulations, robotic surgery and innovative teaching, students gain insights into visceral surgery that combine theoretical understanding and practical experience.