Factors Influencing Hematology Career Choice in Hematology and Oncology Fellows at a Major Academic Institution

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 3538-3538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie H Wallace ◽  
Janet P Hafler ◽  
Michael E Hurwitz ◽  
Nikolai A Podoltsev ◽  
Jill Lacy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
Career Decisions ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
Factors Influencing

Abstract INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND The majority of graduating fellows from hematology/oncology subspecialty training programs in the U.S. pursue careers in medical oncology or in non-academic fields. A workforce shortage of physicians specializing in hematology has been predicted for the next decade. Large-scale surveys have identified a number of factors responsible for this trend, including financial considerations, educational debt, work-life balance, and fellowship exposure. Qualitative studies in other subspecialty fields have yielded unique insights into specific factors motivating career decisions, but no such study has been conducted in hematology. We performed a qualitative study to identify factors influencing trainees' perceptions of careers in hematology. METHODS Senior or graduating fellows in the hematology/oncology training program at Yale School of Medicine were invited to participate in this study. Semi-structured interviews lasting between 30 and 90 minutes were conducted. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed using the framework method. RESULTS Eight trainees participated in the study, five in their senior year of training, three shortly after graduation. Five were female. Three held dual M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Most were planning on an academic career or a career with an academic affiliation; two were specifically pursuing careers in benign or malignant hematology. Trainees' career decisions and perceptions of hematology revolved around five major themes: serendipity, mentorship, clinical exposure and teaching, intellectual interest, and lifestyle factors. Most trainees identified seminal, career-defining experiences prior to medical school but were not influenced by medical school classroom experiences and were not differentiated at the start of fellowship with respect to a hematology- or oncology-oriented career. By the end of their first year of fellowship, almost all had decided to pursue careers in solid tumor oncology owing to clinical exposure and research opportunities. Mentorship was identified as the single most important determinant, with mentorship opportunities tending to occur "randomly" or by "happenstance," and with oncology having "more" "available mentors" who played a "huge role" in the career-decision process. Trainees characterized hematology as having a less desirable work/life balance than oncology, and trainees' experiences on the inpatient hematology services caused some of them to feel "burned out." Despite this, fellows commonly perceived hematology to be more "interesting" and "challenging" than oncology, with "much more complex" disease pathology. Financial considerations were of importance to only a minority of trainees. CONCLUSIONS Mentorship and research opportunities are the major factors guiding career decisions among hematology/oncology fellows. An increase in structured mentorship opportunities in hematology may lead to greater trainee recruitment. Trainees view hematology as an intellectually engaging field although lifestyle factors render it less desirable than oncology. Disclosures Podoltsev: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ariad: Consultancy, Honoraria.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Choice of Medical Specialty among Ophthalmology and Non-Ophthalmology Residency Applicants

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. e129-e137
Author(s):  
David Cui ◽  
Andreas M. Wingert ◽  
Ingrid U. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
Specialty Choice ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Professional Satisfaction ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Clinical Rotations ◽  
Strong Interest ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Preclinical Curriculum

Abstract Objective The study aimed to investigate factors influencing choice of specialty among ophthalmology and non-ophthalmology residency applicants. Patients and Methods Anonymous, web-based surveys were distributed through REDCap to the 2019 to 2020 residency applicants to the Penn State Department of Ophthalmology and, as a control group, Penn State medical students applying to non-ophthalmology residencies for the 2019 to 2020 cycle. The primary outcome was factors that influenced specialty choice among ophthalmology versus non-ophthalmology applicants. Secondary outcomes include hours of exposure to applicants' selected specialty in the medical school preclinical curriculum, and proportion of ophthalmology versus non-ophthalmology applicants who decided on, or developed a strong interest in, their specialty prior to clinical rotations. Results Surveys were completed by 203/441 (46.0%) ophthalmology and 85/139 (61.1%) non-ophthalmology applicants. Fewer than 20 hours of exposure to an applicant's selected specialty were provided in the medical school preclinical curriculum for 86.7% of ophthalmology and 42.4% of non-ophthalmology applicants (p < 0.001). Ophthalmology applicants decided on, or developed a strong interest in, their selected specialty before clinical rotations at a similar rate to non-ophthalmology applicants (60.6 vs. 58.8%, respectively). Factors influencing specialty choice cited most commonly by ophthalmology applicants include professional satisfaction (94.1%), performing surgeries/procedures (92.6%), personal fit with specialty (91.1%), work-life balance (91.1%), and ability to see patients in a clinic setting (90.6%), compared to personal fit with specialty (95.3%)%, clinical rotation in selected specialty (95.3%), professional satisfaction (91.8%), intellectual stimulation (89.4%), and subinternship or away rotation (89.4%) among non-ophthalmology applicants. Conclusion Professional satisfaction and personal fit with specialty were among the most commonly cited factors influencing specialty choice for both groups. Other factors cited most frequently by ophthalmology applicants include performing surgeries/procedures, work-life balance, and ability to see patients in a clinic setting. Despite limited ophthalmology exposure in medical school preclinical curricula, ophthalmology applicants decided on, or developed a strong interest in, their selected specialty before clinical rotations at a rate similar to non-ophthalmology applicants.

scholarly journals A94 BARRIERS TO ADVANCEMENT ALONG THE GASTROENTEROLOGY CAREER PATHWAY: A RESIDENT PERSPECTIVE

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 67-68
Author(s):  
C Pattni ◽  
N Jawaid ◽  
N Bollegala
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Career Advancement ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Background GI residency training programs in Canada are comprised of approximately 30% females. Survey data from procedural specialities reveal gender related differences relating to work-life balance, parental obligations, access to role models, and workplace gender discrimination. Aims To determine gender specific differences affecting the choice of GI as a sub-specialty and the experience of GI as a career during residency and fellowship. Methods A 91-question mixed methods survey was electronically disseminated in two recruitment waves to PGY4-6 gastroenterology residents and fellows across Canada between May 7th-July 1st, 2020. The survey consisted of nine groups of questions aimed at understanding personal, professional, financial, and training characteristics. Comparisons were made between self-identified male and female genders. Wilcoxon (Mann Whitney U test) was used for continuous variables while chi-squared test and fisher’s exact test was applied for categorical variables using SAS software. Qualitative thematic analysis was applied for short answer responses with two independent reviewers. Results A total of 122 residents were surveyed with a response rate of 36% (44/122).There were 17 PGY4s, 15 PGY5s, and 12 PGY6s. Females comprised 41% (18/44) of respondents. Women were statistically more likely to take on a predominant caregiver role for children (p=0.012) and state that having children would slow their career advancement (p=0.046). Men were more likely to state that it is preferable to have children during residency (p=0.036) and that their partner’s preference factored into their subspecialty training choice (p=0.009) than women. Male PGY4/5 trainees were more likely to select therapeutic endoscopy for advanced training (p=0.033). No statistical difference was found regarding aspirations for administrative/leadership positions, desired future income, practice setting, academic pursuits, and perspectives on compromising marriage for career. Qualitative analysis suggests non-gender specific challenges related to achieving work-life balance, securing a desired location of practice, and obtaining financial stability are common resident and fellow concerns. Conclusions Our study is the first of its kind within the field of gastroenterology to focus on GI residents and fellows’ experiences within Canadian training programs. Our results show that there exist gender related differences in relation to work-life balance and career advancement. Women may benefit from supports to cope with increased caregiver demands in order to allow them to meet career goals which are similar to their male peers. Funding Agencies None

scholarly journals Hematology/Oncology Fellows' Future Plans and Job Expectations: Findings from the 2019 Hematology/Oncology Fellows Survey

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5780-5780
Author(s):  
Leah E Masselink ◽  
Alfred I Lee ◽  
Clese E Erikson
Keyword(s):  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Career Goals ◽  
Intellectual Stimulation ◽  
Grant Funding ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Income Expectations ◽  
Future Position

Introduction/Background The American Society of Hematology and researchers at the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at the George Washington University are conducting a 3-year study of the hematology workforce to understand training, mentorship, and job market factors that influence the supply of hematology services in the U.S. The 2019 Hematology/Oncology Fellows Survey is one of a series of annual surveys of hematology/oncology fellows, focused specifically on second year fellows. Its goals include 1) examining how training and mentorship experiences during fellowship contribute to changes in fellows' career goals and 2) understanding their perceptions of job prospects in their chosen field (hematology, oncology, or both). Methods We collected the 2019 Hematology/Oncology Fellows Survey data via Qualtrics, an online survey platform. The survey included questions about fellows' training and mentorship experiences, career goals, and perceptions. This analysis uses data from the following questions: -At this point in your training, which of the following best describes your intended focus post fellowship? (malignant and/or benign hematology only, oncology only, both or undecided) -Given your current career plans, how confident are you that you will be able to find a position that offers what you are seeking in terms of (1) clinical focus, (2) research opportunities, (3) grant funding, (4) work-life balance, (5) income, (6) prestige, and (7) intellectual stimulation? (very confident, somewhat confident, not confident, not applicable) We used Fisher's exact tests to compare responses to each question about future position expectations by intended focus post fellowship (hematology only vs. oncology only vs. both/undecided) in Stata 15 (p<0.05=statistically significant difference). Results Among second year fellows invited to complete the survey, 204 (27.8%) had complete data to be included in the analysis: 71 (34.8%) with intended hematology-only focus, 64 (31.4%) oncology-only, and 69 (33.8%) both/undecided. We found statistically significant differences between future position expectations across focus areas in 3 domains: research opportunities (p<0.01), grant funding (p<0.01) and income (p<0.01). Fellows with a hematology-only focus were most likely to report being "very confident" they would find a position meeting their expectations for both research opportunities (21.1% vs. 17.2% for oncology-only and 11.6% for both/undecided) and grant funding (8.5% vs. 6.3% for oncology-only and 4.4% for both/undecided), while fellows with a both/undecided focus were most likely to report that these considerations did not apply (34.8% and 50.0% respectively). Fellows in the both/undecided category were most likely to say they were "very confident" they would find a position meeting their income expectations (30.4% vs. 14.1% hematology only and 9.4% oncology only). Fellows with a hematology-only focus were most likely to say they were "not confident" they would find positions meeting their income expectations (23.9%), followed by oncology only (18.8%) vs. only 5.8% both/undecided. Differences in work-life balance expectations (p=0.07) and prestige (p=0.08) also approached statistical significance. For both metrics, fellows with a both/undecided focus were most likely to report being "very confident" they would find positions with their desired work-life balance (24.6% vs. 8.5% hematology only and 9.4% oncology only) and prestige (18.8% vs. 11.3% hematology only and 9.4% oncology only). We found no statistically significant differences between fellows' expectations of finding their desired clinical focus (p=0.30) or intellectual stimulation (p=0.49) across focus areas. Conclusions Findings suggest that roughly ⅓ of hematology/oncology fellows plan to focus on each of 3 career paths: hematology only, oncology only, and both. Statistical analyses suggest stark differences between fellows' priorities and expectations of their future positions across focus areas, likely reflecting differences between more specialized academic positions (which offer greater research opportunities and expectations but possibly lower income) and less specialized, often private practice positions that offer greater income security and work-life balance. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Work-Life Balance - An Experimental Analysis with Reference to Medical Representatives

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6S) ◽  
pp. 889-893
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Target Orientation ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
One Way Anova

In this fastmoving world Work-life balance of an individual is a challenging one particularly for the working professionals, such as doctors and medical representatives. In this empirical study the researcher examined the work-life balance of Medical Representatives. The main objective of the study is to find out the agreement level of Medical Representatives with regard to the influencing factors such as working timings, travel, target orientation, lack of support, physical working environment and stress. The study was conducted with the sample of 74 respondents. The analyses of the study were made with the tools of percentage analysis, one samplet-test and one way ANOVA. The study concluded that factors such as working timings, travel, target orientation, lack of support, physical working environment and stress were termed as disturbing factors

A Study on Factors Influencing Work Life Balance of School Teachers in Coimbatore

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Dr.S.S.Saravanan Dr.S.S.Saravanan ◽  
◽  
P.Dharani P.Dharani
Keyword(s):  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Factors Influencing

Characteristics of graduating US allopathic medical students pursuing a career in neurology

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (17) ◽  
pp. e2051-e2063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Gutmann ◽  
Carolyn Cahill ◽  
Justin T. Jordan ◽  
Charlene E. Gamaldo ◽  
Veronica Santini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Specialty Choice ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Mentoring Programs ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Student Questionnaire

ObjectivesTo identify factors associated with medical students becoming neurologists because, despite the increasing burden of neurologic disorders, there is a growing neurologist shortage.MethodsDeidentified data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) and Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) were obtained for the graduation years 2013 to 2014 through 2016 to 2017. Logistic regression was used to assess demographic characteristics and responses to training and career-related questions in association with specialty choice (intent to enter neurology).ResultsOf the 51,816 students with complete data, 1,456 (2.8%) indicated an intent to enter a neurology residency. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of entering neurology were a student's rating of excellent for their basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship, participation in an MD/PhD program, majoring in neuroscience or psychology as an undergraduate, a selection response of “content of the specialty was a strong influence on career choice,” and indicating interest in neurology on the MSQ. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of entering neurology were a higher-priority response on the GQ for salary, work/life balance, and personal fit of the specialty.ConclusionData from surveys at the entry into and graduation from medical school suggest several approaches to increase the number of medical students entering neurology, including a focus on the student-reported quality of the basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkships, targeted engagement with MD/PhD students, and mentoring programs for students interested in neurology. Efforts to improve salaries for neurologists, to reduce medical school debt, and to improve work/life balance may also help to attract more students.

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