Attitudes of applicants for surgical residency toward work hour limitations.
BACKGROUND
There is an ongoing debate regarding the merits of resident work-hour limitations. We postulated that this issue would be a factor in the decision-making process of applicants to surgical residency.


METHODS
Candidates for surgical residency at a university-based program completed an anonymous survey during their visit. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance and the chi-square test.


RESULTS
Most candidates viewed work-hour limitations as being favorable to their future training. Nevertheless, work-hour limitations ultimately were not a critical factor in the decision-making process compared with issues such as quality of training and program reputation. Candidates ranked "reading in surgery" the most likely way they would spend the leisure time afforded by work-hour limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
Most applicants for surgical residency consider work hour-limitations as being favorable to their training and view the extra free time as an opportunity for furthering their education. However, other issues take precedence when choosing a residency.
Miller
George
G
Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA. georgemil@usa.net
Bamboat
Zubin M
ZM
Allen
Frederick
F
Hopkins
Mary Ann
MA
Gouge
Thomas H
TH
Riles
Thomas S
TS
Nalbandian
Matthew M
MM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010820:Physicians; D013995:Time