A comprehensive national survey on thoughts of leaving residency, alternative career paths, and reasons for staying in general surgery training

Background: General surgery residencies continue to experience high levels of attrition. Methods: Survey of general surgery residents administered with the 2018 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Outcomes were consideration of leaving residency, potential alternative career paths, and reasons for staying in residency. Results: Among 7,409 residents, 930 (12.6%) reported considering leaving residency over the last year. Residents were more likely to consider other general surgery programs (46.2%) if PGY 2/3 (OR: 1.93, 95%CI 1.34–2.77) or reporting frequent duty hour violations (OR: 1.58, 95%CI 1.12–2.24). Consideration of other specialties (47.0%) was more likely if dissatisfied with being a surgeon (OR 2.86, 95%CI 1.92–4.26). Residents were more likely to consider leaving medicine (49.7%) if female (OR: 1.54, 95%CI 1.16–2.06) or dissatisfied with a surgical career (OR: 2.81, 95%CI 1.85–4.27). Common reasons for remaining in residency included a sense of too much invested to leave (65.3%) and career satisfaction (55.5%). Conclusion: Profiles of trainees considering leaving residency exist based on factors associated with alternative careers. This may be a target for future interventions to reduce attrition.