Aim: The NHS faces unprecedented challenges and an uncertain future, which may soon deter high school graduates from applying to medical school. The Royal College of Surgeons has developed the 'Surgery in Schools' initiative -facilitating university surgical societies to work with local schools. However, there is currently no evidence to validate such programmes. Our aim was to pilot a novel protocol for a large educational event that could be replicated throughout the country, and assess

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... r these events can successfully encourage students to pursue careers in medicine and surgery. Method: Lectures and practical workshops were delivered to 49 students, aged 16-18, all of whom were interested in careers in the medical profession. Outcomes were assessed on Likert scale responses using questionnaires pre-and post-event. Result: A statistically significant (p<0.001) gain of knowledge on attributes and tasks of a surgeon, and how the application process to medical school works, was discovered. 98% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed to 'this event has encouraged me to pursue a career in medicine/surgery'. Conclusion: This event was perceived to be informative and to positively influence decision-making. Nationwide propagation using this RCS 'bottomup' approach may be one method of averting an imminent recruitment crisis. http://dx.