Survey of the US Surgeon Workforce: Practice Characteristics, Job Satisfaction, and Reasons for Leaving Surgery

BACKGROUND: An impending surgeon shortage looms in the US due to increasing demand and a stagnant number of surgeons entering practice. We sought to evaluate the state of our surgical workforce by exploring current practice patterns, job satisfaction, and reasons why surgeons consider leaving surgery. STUDY DESIGN: In 2018, a link to a detailed survey was distributed by email to Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) who actively practice in the US and have completed a general surgery residency or integrated cardiothoracic, vascular, or plastic surgery fellowship. Detailed questions regarding practice attributes, surgical training, professional choices, and career satisfaction were included. Nonresponse weights were adjusted for respondent sex, age, and presence of subspecialty training between respondents and the total surveyed ACS population. All estimates and analyses were weighted to account for potential nonresponse bias. RESULTS: There were 3,807 surgeons who responded (15% response rate). Overall, 81% reported career satisfaction and 80% would choose surgery over again. Twenty-six percent were considering leaving surgery within the next 2 years. Stratified by age groups 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 years, the survey found that 9%, 17%, and 45% of respondents were considering leaving surgery within the next 2 years, respectively. Thirteen percent of surgeons less than 60 years old were considering leaving surgery, and only 49% of these surgeons reported career satisfaction. Among surgeons less than 60 years old who were considering leaving surgery, the top 3 reasons rated as very important were overall stress (79%), work time demands (77%), and personal time requirements (73%). CONCLUSIONS: Reported surgeon job satisfaction was high, but a surprising number of surgeons reported that they were considering leaving surgery. Work time requirements and lack of personal time are leading factors contributing to surgeons leaving practice.