120 - Impact of Medical Student Interest Group Fair on PM&R Subspecialty Preference: A Pre-Post Study

This study aims to address awareness of and interest in various PM&R subspecialties among medical students before and after a PM&R interest group fair on the aforementioned subspecialty interests. The results of this project will inform current interest group efforts in addressing medical student interests within PM&R, identifying knowledge gaps, and increasing awareness of lesser known subspecialties. 

Design:

This study utilized pre-post test methodology where medical student attendees were surveyed before and after attending a medical student interest group PM&R fair. The fair consisted of 10 PM&R subspecialty stations led by resident/fellow and attending physicians. Online surveys included demographics, interest and awareness of PM&R subspecialties, and understanding of PM&R. Descriptive statistics were used to identify changes in pre- and post-assessment means (p< 0.05).

Results: Forty students attended the PM&R Fair, with 29 completing the pre-assessment and 21 completing the post-assessment. Pre-event, students were least aware of wound medicine (10.3%) and occupational/environmental medicine (10.3%), with the highest awareness of sports medicine (75.9%). Awareness of all subspecialties except spinal cord injury medicine increased after the event. The top interests pre-event included sports medicine (65.5%) and interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine (41.4%). Post-event, the leading interests included sports medicine (61.9%) and pain medicine (33.3%). Pediatric rehabilitation saw the greatest increase in interest (14.8%).

Conclusions:

The PM&R Fair was effective in increasing awareness of PM&R subspecialties. Sports medicine was found to be a stable top interest, while other top subspecialty interests shifted slightly. Interest in pediatric rehabilitation increased the most, suggesting the value of a PM&R Fair in exposing medical students to lesser known PM&R subspecialties.