title: Fellowship and career path preferences in residents of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess fellowship and academic/private practice career track preferences in residents of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,364 U.S. otolaryngology residents were surveyed. Questions addressed demographics, work hours and sleep, fellowship preference, and career track preference (academic/private practice). Trends in fellowship and career track preference were analyzed by year of clinical otolaryngology training. Data were additionally analyzed after stratification by sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 50%. The desire to complete a fellowship declined from 62% (year 2) to 58% (year 5), whereas the desire to not complete a fellowship increased from 31% (year 2) to 41% (year 5). Fellowship interest increased for rhinology and head and neck surgery by training year, whereas interest declined for neurotology and facial plastics. Expectation of an academic path increased from 29% (year 2) to 38% (year 5), whereas expectation of private practice declined slightly from 59% (year 2) to 57% (year 5). Women were initially more interested in both completing a fellowship (69% women, 60% men) and academics (40% women, 27% men). At the end of training, these sex differences were eliminated or reversed (59% men, 54% women for fellowship; 39% men, 35% women for academics). Residents interested in pursuing fellowship or academics reported working 2 hr/week more than those interested in no fellowship or private practice, respectively (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fellowship and career track preferences suggest trends that may be useful to residency/fellowship program directors and residents making career choices. Inequalities producing differences according to sex should be addressed.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors: Justin S
authors: JS
authors: Golub
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Ossoff
authors: Michael M
authors: MM
authors: Johns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D013038:Specialization / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload