Surgery Night Float Team: Should Medical Students Have a Spot on the Roster?

Abstract

Following the trend of residency programs, more medical schools are offering night float (NF) schedules for clerkships and sub-internship rotations. The efficacy of this structure to educate students and prepare them for residency was evaluated. This study investigates the question: Is a night float surgical rotation an effective educational experience for 4th year medical students to prepare for internship in that it matches or exceeds day-shift rotations in operative and procedural opportunities, autonomy, and instructive interactions with attending physicians and residents? Twenty individuals were surveyed after a month-long 4th year NF rotation in Trauma and Emergency Surgery. Thirteen participants responded (65%), reporting more bedside procedures (84.7%) and one-on-one teaching with residents (84.7%), when compared to daytime shifts. All participants (100%) reported: increased autonomy; that this elective better prepared them for their surgical residencies; and that they would recommend this type of program to other students considering a career in surgery. Overall the NF surgical sub-internship effective and well-received, with increased autonomy, more frequent procedures, and added resident-led education, when compared to a traditional daytime surgical clerkship/sub-internship. A NF schedule can be a valuable learning experience that prepares medical students for surgical residency.