PEDIATRIC SURGEONS ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE-PLANS

Objective: The authors aim was to survey members of the Canadian Assoc iation of Paediatric Surgeons (CAPS) on their demographics, practice, and future plans. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 86 members. Results: We received 60 questionnaires (70%), with a retu rn rate including 85% men and 15% women. Seventeen percent of the resp ondents do not have children, 8% did not answer the question pertainin g to children, and 8% expect to have more children. Among the 75% of s urgeons with children, 16% have reduced the number of hours worked, fr om 2 hours to more than 1 day per week, for a number of years. Younger surgeons and women are more likely to reduce their work load for thei r family life. Most surgeons practice in an academic (64%) or a mixed setting (25%), with only 12% involved in private practice. On average, 69% of their time is devoted to patient care; teaching and research e ach take an average of 10% of the surgeon's time, while 9% of their ti me is spent on administrative duties. Study respondents work an averag e of 57 hours per week, and 45 weeks per year. Age significantly influ enced the number of hours worked per week, and the number of weeks wor ked on a yearly basis. Gender and type of practice did not significant ly influence the number of hours or weeks worked, whereas location of practice did. Spouse activity also had an impact on the number of hour s and weeks worked. When asked about their preference for the next 5 y ears, 30% of surgeons would opt for a decrease in their level of activ ity, and 15% wish to retire. Irrespective of the age group or the type of practice, surgeons would prefer to decrease their level of activit y. A recurring theme submitted by respondents is the need for increase d time for teaching and research and less administrative work. Finally , 60% of surgeons were very satisfied with their work, 27% were satisf ied, and 12% were unsatisfied. Conclusion: Lifestyle and family commit ment have an impact on pediatric surgeons' activity and should be cons idered when analyzing work force requirements. Copyright (C) 1997 by W .B. Saunders Company.