Factors Associated With General Surgery Residents’ Perceptions of Vascular Surgery: Can We Improve the Pipeline?

Shortages of vascular surgeons are projected through 2050. Despite expansion integrated surgery residency programs, fellowships (VSFs) a critical pipeline for training surgeons. We aimed to identify general residents’ perceptions and attitudes toward (VS). Anonymous/electronic questionnaires were sent residents. Questions assessed demographics, fellowship preferences, exposure to/perceptions VS. Univariate analyses performed using the χ2 Fisher exact tests, multivariate two-tailed t tests analysis variance. Of 152 respondents, 20 (13.2%) will apply VSF, 64 (42.1%) interested in VS, 62 (40.8%) not 6 (3.9%) remain undecided (Table I). Overall, 106 (69.7%) felt comfortable with medical management disease, whereas 52 (34.2%) open surgical management, 14 (9.2%) endovascular management. Compared residents VS or undecided, trainees applying VSF reported greater familiarity diseases treated (97.6%; P = .003) procedures (88.1%; .013) by other residents, those more likely perceive they essential members team (95%; .003), their time operating room was productive (100%; .001). Fifty-five respondents (36.2%) believed inadequate surgeon pursuing VSF. More disrespectful treatment attendings, fellows (P .043). Stratified gender, 25 female (29.4%) cited “male-dominant” < .001) as reason choosing When asked how programs impacted while on rotations, 45 (70.3%) at institutions both paradigms indicated diminished experiences due presence residents/fellows .014), (39.1%) expressed lower satisfaction rotation .012). Many during entering practice noted less engagement rotation. Reasons included interactions from well field. Residents gained. Improving these factors may increase interest VSF.TableDemographic informationTotal (n 152)Applying 20)Interested 64)Not 62)Undecided 6)Clinical year PGY-121 (13.8)3 (15)11 (17.2)5 (8.1)2 (33.3) PGY-246 (30.3)7 (35)15 (23.4)22 (35.5)2 PGY-340 (26.3)2 (10)24 (37.5)13 (21)1 (16.7) PGY-429 (19.1)5 (25)10 (15.6)14 (22.6)0 (0) PGY-515 (9.9)3 (15)4 (6.3)8 (12.9)1 (16.7)Residency program University-affiliated136 (89.5)18 (90)56 (87.5)58 (93.5)4 (66.7) Community8 (5.3)2 (10)4 (6.3)1 (1.6)1 Military6 (3.9)0 (0)3 (4.7)2 (3.2)1 Other2 (1.3)0 (0)1 (1.6)0 (0)Age, years 24-265 (3.3)2 (10)3 (4.7)0 (50) 27-2952 (34.2)10 (50)18 (28.1)23 (37.1)1 30-3260 (39.5)5 (25)29 (45.3)26 (41.9)0 >3332 (21.1)3 (15)14 (21.9)13 (21)2 (33.3)Gender Male67 (44.1)12 (60)29 Female85 (55.9)8 (40)35 (54.7)36 (58.1)6 (100)Race American Indian Alaska Native0 (0)0 Asian23 (15.1)6 (30)11 (8.1)1 Black African American7 (4.6)0 (0)2 (3.1)5 (8.1)0 Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander2 White115 (75.7)14 (70)47 (73.4)50 (80.6)4 Other6 (3.9)1 (5)3 (3.2)0 (0)Marital status Single82 (53.9)11 (55)35 (54.7)32 (51.6)4 Married69 (45.4)9 (45)29 (45.3)29 (46.8)2 (33.3)Children Yes27 (17.8)5 (25)11 (17.2)11 (17.7)0 No124 (81.6)15 (75)52 (81.3)51 (82.3)6 (100)Medical school United States allopathic school126 (82.9)16 (80)55 (85.9)50 (80.6)5 (83.3) osteopathic school9 (5.9)0 (0)5 (7.8)4 (6.5)0 Foreign graduate (United citizen)4 (2.6)1 (5)1 (non-United citizen)13 (8.6)3 (15)3 (4.7)7 (11.3)0 (0)Debt, $ None38 (25)6 (30)14 (21.9)16 (25.8)2 <50,00016 (10.5)2 (10)8 (12.5)4 (6.5)2 50,000-100,0008 (5.3)1 (4.7)4 100,000-200,00023 (15.1)5 (25)8 (12.5)10 (16.1)0 >200,00065 (42.8)6 (30)31 (48.4)26 (41.9)2 (33.3)PGY, Post-graduate year; surgery.Data presented number (%). Open table new tab