Practice patterns and job satisfaction in fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons

• Published in: Surgery Vol. 152; no. 6; pp. 953 - 956
• Main Authors: Tsinberg, Michael, MD, Duh, Quan-Yang, MD, Cisco, Robin M., MD, Gosnell, Jessica E., MD, Scholten, Anouk, MD, Clark, Orlo H., MD, Shen, Wen T., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01-12-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers; Biological and medical sciences; Endocrine Surgical Procedures - education; Endocrine Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Fellowships and Scholarships; Female; General aspects; Group Practice; Health participants; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Male; Medical sciences; Private Practice; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Specialties, Surgical - education; Surgery; Medicine; Endocrine gland; Treatment; Surgery; Professional practice; Job satisfaction; Train; Surgeon; Endocrinology
• ISSN: 0039-6060; 1532-7361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2012.08.032

Background Debates about the difficult job market for young endocrine surgeons are ongoing. This study aimed to analyze the practice patterns and work-related satisfaction levels of recently trained endocrine surgeons. Methods An anonymous survey was utilized. Participants were divided into 3 groups: “Young” (<3 years in practice), “middle” (3–5 years), and “older” (>5 years). Results Fifty-six of 78 surgeons (72%) responded to the survey. Time in practice ranged from 1 to 9 years (mean, 3.9 ± 0.28). Forty-five (80%) described their practice as academic. Participants performed 244.1 ± 17.8 operations within the last year; 75.4 ± 3.3% were endocrine cases. More surgeons in the “young” group have academic practices (92%) and joined established endocrine surgery groups (54%) versus older surgeons (67% and 42%; P = .05). Of surgeons in the “young” group, 4% started their own practice versus 33% in the “older” group ( P = .04). Level of satisfaction with financial compensation (3.2 on a 4-point scale versus 2.9) and lifestyle (3.6 vs 3.1) was also higher in the younger group ( P = .009). Conclusion Despite widespread speculation about scarcity of academic jobs after fellowship, recently trained endocrine surgeons are more likely to practice in academic settings and join established endocrine surgery practices when compared with older surgeons. Overall satisfaction level is higher among recently trained surgeons.