Recruitment of House Staff into Anesthesiology: Factors Responsible for House Staff Selecting Anesthesiology as a Career and Individual Training Program

Abstract

Due to a variety of factors, there was a recent redistribution of graduating American medical students toward primary care specialties and a decline in the number of applicants seeking training positions in anesthesiology. In the present study, factors responsible for Mayo house staff (i.e., residents and clinical fellows) selecting anesthesiology as a career, and Mayo Clinic as their training program, were identified. We also evaluated their level of satisfaction with their choice of career and training program, and their perceptions of the future for anesthesiology trainees. A cross sectional analysis was conducted using a questionnaire to survey 67 house staff enrolled in the anesthesiology training program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN during the 1995-1996 academic year. All responses were anonymous. Data were analyzed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney rank sum tests. P ? 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Forty-eight (72%) of those surveyed responded to the questionnaire. The most frequently cited reasons for selecting anesthesiology as a career included it: is a "hands-on" specialty, involves clinical application of physiology and pharmacology, and provides immediate gratification in one's work. The most frequently cited reasons for selecting our training program were the diversity of training experience, prestige associated with Mayo Clinic, and employment opportunities following training. Forty-four (92%) felt downsizing of anesthesiology training programs was a national trend, 26 (54%) anticipated difficulty obtaining a job following training, and 16 (33%) felt they had future job security. Overall, 47 (98%) were happy with their career choice, and 40 (83%) would choose anesthesiology as a career if they were now graduating from medical school. Our data indicate that selection of a career in anesthesiology and training program are strongly associated with concerns regarding educational experiences and postgraduate employment opportunities. More than half anticipated difficulty obtaining postgraduate employment; however, this skepticism was overshadowed by two findings: the trainees reported a very high level of satisfaction in their choice of career and training program, and the vast majority reported they would seek a career in anesthesiology if they were now selecting a medical specialty. Additionally, all 1996 graduates found suitable employment without difficulty.