What drives US gastroenterology fellows to pursue academic vs. non-academic careers?: Results of a national survey.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a nationwide survey of US gastroenterology fellows to identify key demographic and job-related factors relevant to the decision between an academic and a non-academic career.


METHODS
A survey was e-mailed to all US GI fellowship program directors and distributed at fellows' endoscopy courses. Data were evaluated via univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty-four fellows completed surveys. Univariate analysis identified one factor that predisposed fellows to pursue non-academic practice: the perception that a non-academic salary would meet their financial needs. Four factors were identified that predisposed fellows to pursue academic practice: age>35 years, prior attainment of a master's or a PhD degree, and advanced fellowship. All factors were significant on multivariate analysis. If salaries were equal, 60% of respondents would choose academic over non-academic practice. Fellows selecting academic practice were motivated to publish and conduct research. Level of debt and a positive relationship with a mentor were not significant factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Fellows desiring more money strongly favor non-academic practice. Fellows choosing academic practice tend to be older, plan to pursue advanced training, desire fewer work hours per week, and have a higher rate of prior graduate study. If salaries were equal in academic medicine and non-academic practice, the majority of fellows would choose academic medicine.
Adler
Douglas G
DG
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. douglas.adler@hsc.utah.edu
Hilden
Kristen
K
Wills
Jason C
JC
Quinney
Elizabeth
E
Fang
John C
JC
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans