How to Get Ahead: Early-Career Colorectal Surgeons Reflect on Their First Few Years in Practice

• Published in: Journal of surgical education 2021-01, Vol.78 (1), p.126-133
• Main Authors: Donahue, Colleen A., Kuhnen, Angela H., Kleiman, David A., Marcello, Peter W., Schoetz, David J., Roberts, Patricia L., Breen, Elizabeth M., Saraidaridis, Julia T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barriers to career progression; Career progression; Fellowship training; Mentorship; Transition to practice
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.06.031

•Young colon and rectal surgeons use many strategies to promote career progression.•Mentorship was most frequently identified as one of the best ways to progress in one's career.•The largest barriers to career success that young colon and rectal surgeons identified were lack of time and lack of mentorship.•Most young colon and rectal surgeons felt that they had no control over their case mix. To identify strategies and barriers to career progression in early-career colorectal surgeons. Qualitative research study performed via semi-structured interviews with early-career, board-certified colon, and rectal surgeons. Responses were analyzed, coded, and categorized to understand strategies towards career progression, perceived barriers to career progression, beliefs about case mix, and referral patterns. Interviews conducted in person and via telephone across the United States and Canada. Early-career board-certified colorectal surgeons Twenty-two board-certified colorectal surgeons currently employed in 14 states and 1 foreign country were interviewed. Fourty-five percent were female. Their current practice environment was described as academic (77%), private practice (18%), or military (5%). Seventy-seven percent of surgeons were satisfied with their career progression. Seventy-two percent were satisfied with the case volume. Seventy-two percent were satisfied with their case mix. When asked about strategies for career progression, surgeons made 77 comments focused on three main themes: optimization of their job search, optimization of relationships while on the job, and efforts to augment individual achievement. When asked about barriers to career advancement, surgeons most frequently commented on a lack of time and a lack of mentors. When asked about case mix, 63% of surgeons felt that they had no control over it. They were evenly divided between believing that a broad case mix or a niche specialized case mix was more instrumental for career progression. Early-career colorectal surgeons were mostly satisfied with their career progression, volume, and case mix. In discussing their careers, many have developed a number of strategies focused on growth as an individual as well as relationship building. They also identified a number of barriers including lack of time and lack of mentorship. Early-career surgeons may be able to utilize these strategies and anticipate barriers prior to starting their first job, leading to greater likelihood of career satisfaction