Abstract
Background: Attitudes of young surgeons regarding professional organizations are unclear. We surveyed young surgeons to assess their opinions regarding the role of The American College of Surgeons in the future of surgery. Methods: A 21-question on-line survey was distributed to all young (age <45 years) ACS members. Questions were related to demographics, membership, educational, and health policy initiatives. Results: Among 2689 respondents, reimbursement and malpractice were the most important issues to surgeons at all levels of training. Organizational attributes of importance to young surgeons included leadership, educational tools, mentorship, and avenues to participate in organized medicine. They value programs to address patient safety, surgical quality, reimbursement, and health policy. Conclusions: Methods to recruit and retain young surgeons into medical organizations should include educational efforts, mentorship programs, practice-management courses, health policy reform, and opportunities for involvement in organizational activities.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 142-149 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | American journal of surgery |
| Volume | 198 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2009 |
Funding
The authors thank Thomas Russell, M.D. F.A.C.S., Paul Collicott, M.D., F.A.C.S., Josef Fischer, M.D., F.A.C.S., Clifford Ko, M.D., F.A.C.S., and Peg Haar for their assistance in developing the survey and Pamela Derish for editorial review. Dr. Cherr was supported by a grant from the Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Awards Program, which is administered by the American Geriatrics Society through a program funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation of New York City and the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Keywords
- Education
- Intergenerational relations
- Leadership
- Medical society
- Professional organizations
- Surgeons
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
