Impact of mentor guidance in surgical career selection

Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey graduates of a university gene ral surgical residency training program to determine factors that influence d their selection of a specialty field. Methods: A 39-item questionnaire was mailed to 86 graduates of a university general surgery program who matriculated from 1975 to 1989. The impact of lifestyle, technology, clinical opportunity, and mentor guidance in the res idents' selection of a specialty field and eventual clinical practice was a ssessed. Results were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test with significance determine d at P less than .05. Results:The response rate was 65% (56 of 86). Eighty percent of respondents identified the most important aspect influencing the ir choice of specialty was interest in that field; additional factors inclu ded perception of prestige, presence of clinical opportunity, mentor influe nce, and family priorities. Sixty-six percent of respondents chose the same career as their mentor, attributing this to the mentor's skill (n = 36, 68 %), achievements (n = 35, 66%), and verbal recommendations about their spec ialty field (n = 24, 45%), p < 0.05. Conclusions: Surgical residents use many criteria in selecting a field of s pecialty with mentor guidance an important component. Knowledge of these in fluential areas should help training programs offer appropriate career guid ance. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.