Assessment of residents' loss of interest in academic careers and identification of correctable factors.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify interest in an academic career at the dermatology resident and residency applicant level.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Dermatology residents attending a basic science course and residency applicants applying to a single residency program.


METHODS
Self-reported level of interest in an academic dermatology career, reasons for losing interest in academics, and area of desired primary academic contribution.


RESULTS
One hundred nine of 230 dermatology applicants and 130 of 190 dermatology residents completed the survey. Seventy-nine applicants (72.5%) and 48 residents (36.9%) were interested in an academic career. Thirty-three of 47 residents (70.2%) and 63 of 79 applicants (79.8%) interested in an academic career hoped to make their primary academic contribution as teacher-clinicians, while only 7 residents (14.9%) and 15 applicants (19.0%) planned to primarily contribute through basic or clinical research. Thirty-eight resident respondents (29.2%) reported losing interest in academics for the following primary reasons: bureaucracy, 24 (63.2%); salary differential/financial issues, 20 (52.6%); lack of effective mentorship, role model, or professional guidance, 19 (50.0%); and location or practice environment, 10 (26.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Many residents report losing interest in pursuing a career in academic dermatology. Many reasons for this are not easy to correct. However, half of those residents primarily lose interest because of a lack of mentors, role models, and career guidance. Methods to improve this perception and experience should be sought. Strategies should also be developed to cultivate future teacher-clinicians, where most of the interest lies.
Reck
Samuel J
SJ
Department of Dermatology, Marshfield Clinic, and Division of Biostatistics, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wis, USA.
Stratman
Erik J
EJ
Vogel
Curt
C
Mukesh
Bickol N
BN
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce