Compensation among graduated fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery fellows.

STUDY OBJECTIVE The Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (FMIGS) is a postresidency fellowship developed with the mission to train the next generation of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons. The need for surgeons trained in this field has increased, yet there remains a paucity of information regarding the compensation of these specialized surgeons. DESIGN A survey was sent via e-mail to FMIGS graduates (N = 221) using an online survey tool; it was sent twice more to increase the response rate between July and December 2013. The survey collected information on current and starting salaries and benefits as well as academic rank, location, practice type, and practice breadth. Comparisons were analyzed using multivariable linear regression models (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). SETTING E-mail-based survey. PATIENTS Graduates of the FMIGS. INTERVENTIONS A single survey sent 3 times. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 221 graduates surveyed, 164 responded (response rate = 74%). Sixty-one percent of respondents (n = 100) were from academic institutions, and the remainder were from private practice (n = 64). Of all respondents, 27 (16.5%) reported less than 1 year of postfellowship experience and had a median starting salary of $216 399 (range, $106 834-$542 930). Survey respondents were on average 3.3 years (range, 0-14) out of fellowship with a median salary of $238 198 (range, $108 200-$993 765). Academic surgeons (average experience = 3.4 years) earned $208 743 (range, $106 834-$542 930) compared with private practice surgeons (average experience = 3.2 years) who earned $233 020 (range, $115 000-$454 448). CONCLUSION Salaries and compensation benefits of graduates of the FMIGS are varied. This information is very relevant to those attempting to hire or become employed as gynecologic surgical specialists.