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.
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
Douglas G
DG
Adler
Kristen
K
Hilden
Jason C
JC
Wills
Elizabeth
E
Quinney
John C
JC
Fang
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