Background
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in endocrine surgery. Educational
objectives have been published by the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES),
but data have not been collected describing the recruitment pool, fellowship, or postfellowship
experiences.
Methods
A survey was distributed to endocrine surgeons in practice <7 years and endocrine
surgery fellows. Demographic, training, and practice data were collected.
Results
The survey response rate was 69% (46/67); 85% were practicing endocrine surgeons and
15% were fellows. In all, 72% of respondents completed an endocrine surgery fellowship,
17% completed surgical oncology, and the remaining individuals completed no fellowship.
The mean age was 38 (32–49) years; 39% were women, 67% were white, 26% were Asian,
11% were Hispanic, and 2% were black. A total of 89% completed residency at academic
centers. Endocrine surgery fellows performed significantly more endocrine surgery
cases in residency than the average graduating chief resident. Mentorship was a critical
factor in fellows' decisions to pursue endocrine surgery. Fellows graduated with a
median (range) of 150 (50–300) thyroid, 80 (35–200) parathyroid, 10 (2–50) neck dissection,
13 (0–60) laparoscopic adrenal, and 3 (0–35) endocrine-pancreas. Fellows felt the
least prepared in neck dissection and pancreas. Of the respondents, 76% of endocrine
surgeons in practice are at academic centers, and 75% have practices where most cases
are endocrine based.
Conclusion
Exposure to endocrine surgery and mentorship are powerful factors that influence residents
to pursue careers in endocrine surgery. Significant variation is found in the case
distribution of fellowships with a relative paucity in neck dissection, pancreas procedures,
and research. Recruitment to endocrine surgery should begin in residency, and the
standardization of training should be a goal.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 25, 2009
Accepted:
October 8,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
