title: Predictors of early faculty attrition at one Academic Medical Center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Faculty turnover threatens the research, teaching and clinical missions of medical schools. We measured early attrition among newly-hired medical school faculty and identified personal and institutional factors associated with early attrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cohort study identified faculty hired during the 2005-2006 academic year at one school. Three-year attrition rates were measured. A 40-question electronic survey measured demographics, career satisfaction, faculty responsibilities, institutional/departmental support, and reasons for resignation. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (95% CI) identified variables associated with early attrition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 139 faculty, 34% (95% CI = 26-42%) resigned within three years of hire. Attrition was associated with: perceived failure of the Department Chair to foster a climate of teaching, research, and service (OR = 6.03; 95% CI: 1.84, 19.69), inclusiveness, respect, and open communication (OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.04, 9.98). Lack of professional development of the faculty member (OR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.25, 11.81); institutional recognition and support for excellence in teaching (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 0.78, 11.19) and clinical care (OR = 3.87; 95% CI: 1.04, 14.41); and >50% of professional time devoted to patient care (OR = 3.93; 95% CI: 1.29, 11.93) predicted attrition. Gender, race, ethnicity, academic degree, department type and tenure status did not predict early attrition. Of still-active faculty, an additional 27 (48.2%, 95% CI: 35.8, 61.0) reported considering resignation within the 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot study, one-third of new faculty resigned within 3 years of hire. Greater awareness of predictors of early attrition may help schools identify threats to faculty career satisfaction and retention.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Office of Undergraduate Medical Education, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA. brenda.bucklin@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Brenda A
authors: BA
authors: Bucklin
authors: Morgan
authors: M
authors: Valley
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Welch
authors: Zung Vu
authors: ZV
authors: Tran
authors: Steven R
authors: SR
authors: Lowenstein
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002322:Career Mobility; D003120:Colorado; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D044469:Racial Groups; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000078329:Workforce