First employment characteristics for the 2011 pediatric surgery fellowship graduates

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 2013, Vol.48 (1), p.99-103
• Main Authors: Stolar, Charles J.H, Aspelund, Gudrun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benefit package; Biomedical Research - economics; Biomedical Research - statistics & numerical data; Career Choice; Compensation; Contract negotiations; Education, Medical, Graduate; Employment; Employment - economics; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Faculty, Medical - statistics & numerical data; Female; General Surgery - economics; General Surgery - education; General Surgery - statistics & numerical data; Hospitalists - economics; Hospitalists - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Military Medicine - economics; Military Medicine - statistics & numerical data; Pediatric surgery; Pediatrics; Pediatrics - economics; Pediatrics - education; Pediatrics - statistics & numerical data; Private Practice - economics; Private Practice - statistics & numerical data; Salaries and Fringe Benefits - statistics & numerical data; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2012.10.024

Abstract Purpose Information regarding initial employment of graduating pediatric surgery fellows is limited. More complete data could yield benchmarks of initial career environment. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed in 2011 to 41 pediatric surgery graduates from all ACGME training programs interrogating details of initial positions and demographics. Results Thirty-seven of 41 (90%) fellows responded. Male to female ratio was equal. Graduates carried a median debt of $220,000 (range: $0–$850,000). The majority of fellows were married with children. 70% were university/hospital employees, and 68% were unaware of a business plan. Median starting compensation was $354,500 (range: $140,000–$506,000). Starting salary was greatest for > 90% clinical obligation appointments (median $427,500 vs. $310,000; p = 0.002), independent of geographic location. Compensation had no relationship to private practice vs. hospital/university/military position, coastal vs. inland location, and practice sites number. Median clinical time was 75% and research time 10%. 49% identified a formal mentor. Graduates covered 1–5 different offices (median 1) and 1–5 surgery sites (median 2). 60% were satisfied with their compensation. Conclusion Recent pediatric surgery graduates are engaged mainly in clinical care. Research is not incentivized. Compensation is driven by clinical obligations. Graduates have limited knowledge of the business plan supporting their compensation, nature of malpractice coverage, and commitments to resources including research. Graduates have important fiscal and parenting obligations.