Early Career Experiences of Pediatricians Pursuing or Not Pursuing Fellowship Training

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Choosing career paths can be difficult decisions for residents contemplating fellowship training. This study compares the experiences of early career pediatricians who did and did not pursue fellowships. METHODS: We analyzed national, weighted data from pediatricians 8 to 10 years after residency (n = 842). Work environment, work–life balance, and satisfaction were compared for pediatricians who had pursued fellowship training (fellowship trained) and those who did not pursue fellowship training (generalist trained). Logistic and linear regression examined the independent effects of fellowship training while controlling for demographic differences. RESULTS: A total of 39% of the pediatricians (328/842) pursued fellowship training. The fellowship-trained group was less likely than the generalist-trained group to spend time in direct patient care and more likely to report learning opportunities in their work environment. This group was also more likely to report an income of ≥$150 000, although no difference was found when only full-time pediatricians were examined. Generalist-trained pediatricians were more likely to work <50 hours per week, have flexibility with their schedules, and be satisfied with time spent with their own children. Pediatricians in both the fellowship-trained and generalist-trained groups generally found their work to be rewarding and were satisfied with their lives. CONCLUSIONS: Although residents need to consider important life and career differences when contemplating fellowship training and general care, pediatricians in both groups can achieve overall life and career satisfaction.

Physician Work-Personal Intersection: A Scoping Review of Terms, Definitions, and Measures

“…A total of 4,018 studies were identified by the initial search, 580 were identified for full-text review, and 102 1,8,10,11,18,19,24–119 were included in the final analysis (Figure 1 and Supplemental Digital Appendix 2 at http://links.lww.com/ACADMED/B493). Table 1 summarizes the key characteristics of the included studies.…”

Modalities and Determinants of Career Paths in Pediatrics: A Survey of Former Pediatric Residents From Lille University Medical Center

“…A current appropriate work-life balance was reported by 43% among young pediatricians in the USA, for whom three factors (good health, support from colleagues, and sufficient resources for care) were independently associated with greater professional satisfaction, greater personal satisfaction, and a lower prevalence of burnout ( 13 ). Others US studies reported that both pediatricians pursuing or not pursuing fellowship training can achieve overall life and career satisfaction ( 14 ), and that a large majority of pediatric subspecialists found initial jobs matching their goals for professional responsibilities and clinical care ( 15 ).…”

Differences in Lifetime Earning Potential for Pediatric Subspecialists

“…7 The 19 and regardless of the decision to subspecialize, surveys of pediatricians demonstrate that most are satisfied with their careers. 20 Trainees can use this analysis as a framework to understand the financial effects of additional training as well as to understand the impact of educational debt. Medical educators could consider including basic financial concepts as part of medical school and residency curricula to increase financial literacy among physicians.…”