Let Students SOAR: Impact of Early Clinical Interactions on Perceptions of Specialties & Anatomy

The University of Colorado incorporated Structured Obligatory Application & Review (SOAR) sessions into the medical anatomy block. SOAR sessions, spaced across the block, used small group work with activities focused on anatomical content and clinical integration in 4 interactive rotations. The rotations included Challenge Grid: team‐based learning of board‐style questions; Every Body Has Embryology: relating embryology to gross; Bedside Anatomy: cadaver‐side surgical cases; Anatomy of Imaging & Physical Exam: anatomic correlates of imaging & physical exam. Each rotation included peer‐to‐peer teaching facilitated by clinical (surgical and radiology) and anatomical (gross & embryology) experts. The study objective was to evaluate SOAR session impact on student perceptions of surgery and radiology specialties, along with views of gross anatomy and embryology value. In an IRB exempt study, 1 st year medical students (n=184) in 2019 were invited to complete an online pre‐survey before the first SOAR session and paper post‐survey in the last SOAR session. The pre‐survey questions included Likert perception and prior experience questions on surgery (n=3), radiology (n=3), gross (n=2) and embryology (n=2). The post‐survey contained Likert perception items on surgery (n=1), radiology (n=1), gross (n=1) and embryology (n=1), as well as perceived SOAR effect on views of clinicians (n=2), specialty career interest (n=2), clerkship preparedness (n=2), and gross & embryology importance (n=2). Online pre‐survey response rate was 13% (n=23) and paper post‐survey response rate was 81% (n=149). Post‐survey analysis showed 45% of students considering a surgical specialty, 53% reporting increased surgical interest after Bedside Anatomy, and 84% agreeing Bedside Anatomy positively influenced views of surgeons. However, only 34% reported Bedside Anatomy increased their preparedness for surgery core clerkship. While only 21% of students report considering radiology as a specialty, the Anatomy of Imaging SOAR increased interest in a radiology career for 71% of students, and 48% believed the session positively influenced their views of radiologists and increased their preparedness for clerkships. Gross and embryology were perceived important in medical education (95% and 67% respectively), with SOAR reported as enhancing student appreciation of gross (79%) and embryology (50%). Matched pre and post‐survey responses (n=23; 13% response rate) were compared measuring SOAR impact on specialty consideration and gross/embryology importance. Although student perceptions were not significantly different after SOAR participation, an increasing positive trend in surgical/radiology career perceptions and gross anatomy importance was seen. Thematic analysis completion may give insights on impacts of early, meaningful clinical integration on specialty choice and views on anatomical sciences.