title: Attitudes and expectations of 1995 gastroenterology graduates about gastroenterology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To learn more about current attitudes and expectations of recent (June 1995) graduates of gastroenterology fellowship programs, why they chose either a private practice or academic career, and what impact managed care or health care reform had in their decision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April and June 1995, and 8-page, 35-question survey questionnaire was mailed to graduating fellows and returned for evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Graduates believed managed care had an impact on job availability, but it was not a factor in their job choice. Forty percent of the respondents reported that finding a job was either difficult or very difficult. The majority of respondents (67%) are pursuing a career in private practice. Most private practice physicians (PP) trained in 2-yr programs whereas academic physicians (AC) trained for the most part in 3-yr programs. The principal criteria on which decisions regarding job selection were based were similar between the two groups: co-workers, geographic location, access to patient care, and ability to perform endoscopy. Respondents in PP and AC expected to work 50-70 h/wk, care for patients with similar diseases, and have ample time for family. They would choose GI again as a career and believed that there is a future in GI. Salary expectations varied markedly between the two groups, and AC physicians were more concerned about their future financial needs. Twenty percent of PP physicians and 71% of AC physicians plan to participate in clinical research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent graduates of gastroenterology fellowship programs continue to have high expectations of their future careers. Although some had difficulty finding a job and stated that, although managed care had an impact on the job market, it had not yet become a major factor in their job selection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: McCashland
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Zetterman
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Ruby
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: McCashland
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wigton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D011331:Private Practice; D012106:Research; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States