Career Decision-Making among Pediatric Residents

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of the timing and process of residents’ career decisionmaking could improve mentoring, career counseling and subspecialty recruitment efforts. However, knowledge about the timing of career decisions made by pediatric residents is lacking. Objective: To examine the timing of career decision-making among pediatric residents. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of pediatric residents using a modified National Survey of Attitudes and Choices in Medical Education and Training questionnaire. Participants were asked about career plans, the timing of career decisions, and significant influences on these decisions. Results: Participants included 355 pediatric residents. Seventy-three percent had made a career decision. Of residents at least in the third post-graduate year, 40% of pediatric residents made career decisions during the second year of residency, and a cumulative 76% had made their decisions by the end of that year. Conclusions: This information about the timing of career decisions made by pediatric residents could help time educational opportunities, mentoring and career counseling activities, and recruitment efforts.