Training satisfaction versus dissatisfaction among chief residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery--a pilot survey.
OBJECTIVE
To survey chief residents in accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) training programs to assess their satisfaction with their surgical training and analyze their career plans after residency.


METHODS
A 19-question anonymous survey was electronically mailed to 212 individuals identified as graduating chief residents in accredited OMS training programs.


RESULTS
Ninety-four individuals (44%) completed the survey. Of these 85 were men (90.4%) and 9 were women (9.6%). Average age was 32 years. Forty-seven respondents (50%) completed the 4-year traditional OMS programs, 37 respondents (39.4%) completed the 6-year MD integrated programs, 9 respondents (9.6%) completed the 4-year MD option programs, and 1 listed "other" as a program type. Fifty-two individuals (55.3%) planned a full-time private practice career, 5 (5.3%) planned a full-time academic career, 3 (3.2%) planned a military career, 27 (28.7%) planned a combined private practice and academic career, and 7 (7.4%) planned to complete a fellowship after residency. Seventy-nine of all respondents (84%) were satisfied with their OMS training program, whereas 15 (16%) were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Most participants of this survey were satisfied with their training program and OMS as a career. However, it is important to note that less than half (44%) of chief residents who received this survey completed it. This short survey is a pilot survey; a more involved evaluation of OMS resident satisfaction is planned, further assessing satisfaction and burnout during residency.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UMDNJ, NJ Dental School, Newark, NJ, USA. azizsr@umdnj.edu
Shahid R
SR
Aziz
Vincent B
VB
Ziccardi
Sung-Kiang
SK
Chuang
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008504:Medical Staff Privileges; D008885:Military Dentistry; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011331:Private Practice; D011364:Professional Practice; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires