PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to survey graduates of a university general surgical residency training program to determine factors that influenced their selection of a specialty field. METHODS: A 39-item questionnaire was mailed to 86 graduates of a university general surgery program who matriculated from 1975 to 1989. The impact of lifestyle, technology, clinical opportunity, and mentor guidance in the residents' selection of a specialty field and eventual clinical practice was assessed. Results were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test with significance determined at P less than.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 65% (56 of 86). Eighty percent of respondents identified the most important aspect influencing their choice of specialty was interest in that field; additional factors included perception of prestige, presence of clinical opportunity, mentor influence, and family priorities. Sixty-six percent of respondents chose the same career as their mentor, attributing this to the mentor's skill (n = 36, 68%), achievements (n = 35, 66%), and verbal recommendations about their specialty field (n = 24, 45%), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents use many criteria in selecting a field of specialty with mentor guidance an important component. Knowledge of these influential areas should help training programs offer appropriate career guidance. J Pediatr Surg 36:1802-1804. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to survey graduates of a university general surgical residency training program to determine factors that influenced their selection of a specialty field. METHODS: A 39-item questionnaire was mailed to 86 graduates of a university general surgery program who matriculated from 1975 to 1989. The impact of lifestyle, technology, clinical opportunity, and mentor guidance in the residents' selection of a specialty field and eventual clinical practice was assessed. Results were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test with significance determined at P less than.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 65% (56 of 86). Eighty percent of respondents identified the most important aspect influencing their choice of specialty was interest in that field; additional factors included perception of prestige, presence of clinical opportunity, mentor influence, and family priorities. Sixty-six percent of respondents chose the same career as their mentor, attributing this to the mentor's skill (n = 36, 68%), achievements (n = 35, 66%), and verbal recommendations about their specialty field (n = 24, 45%), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents use many criteria in selecting a field of specialty with mentor guidance an important component. Knowledge of these influential areas should help training programs offer appropriate career guidance. J Pediatr Surg 36:1802-1804. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Authors: Jamii St Julien; Ryan Lang; Tony N Brown; Melinda C Aldrich; Steven A Deppen; Huiyun Wu; Irene D Feurer; Margaret Tarpley; George Hill; John Tarpley; R Daniel Beauchamp; Eric L Grogan Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2014-12-01
Authors: Mohsen Bazargan; Richard W Lindstrom; Alan Dakak; Chizobam Ani; Kenneth E Wolf; Ronald A Edelstein Journal: J Natl Med Assoc Date: 2006-09 Impact factor: 1.798