The motivation to pursue surgical subspecialty training is largely gender-neutral: A national survey in Switzerland

Abstract

Objectives: Over the last years, an increasing proportion of general surgeons have opted for a surgical sub-specialization, possibly due to economic pressures. With regard to the increase in women physicians, the aim of the present study was to examine qualitatively and quantitatively gender differences and reasons for obtaining sub-specialization in surgery. Methods: Survey among board-certified surgeons and surgical residents in Switzerland. Content analyses were done by using Mayring's content analysis. Results: A total of 455 arguments to pursue surgical subspecialty training were grouped in six different categories, namely: and ldquo;Interest and rdquo; (82/512, 16.0%), and ldquo;demand for quality and rdquo; (104/512, 20.3%), and ldquo;future prospects and rdquo; (142/512, 27.7%), and ldquo;obligation to specialize and rdquo; (48/512, 9.4%), and ldquo;financial reasons and rdquo; (10/512, 2.0%), and and ldquo;prestige and rdquo; (13/512, 2.5%). Men mentioned and ldquo;demand for quality and rdquo; (P = 0.01) significantly more often than women, but there were no other statistically significant differences between genres. Conclusions: Intrinsic arguments were more important, including a and ldquo;demand for quality and rdquo;, especially for men. However, the arguments in favor of surgical subspecialty training are largely gender-neutral. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2015; 4(3.000): 121-125]

Keywords

• Content analyses
• feminization
• intrinsic arguments
• sub-specialization
• surgery