Fakhry S M, Watts D D
Inova Regional Trauma Center, Falls Church, Virginia 22042-3300, USA.
J Trauma. 2000 Nov;49(5):833-8. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200011000-00007.
Professional compensation is an important consideration for all physicians. Few objective data specific to trauma surgery are available to those seeking employment or contract renegotiation in the United States. National benchmark salary data should assist trauma surgeons in securing fair and equitable compensation. The purpose of this study was to survey trauma surgeons who are members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma regarding current salary levels, benefits, contract arrangements, practice descriptors, and opinions on professional reimbursement.
Anonymous self-report questionnaires were mailed to active members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Only general surgeons practicing in the United States were included. Data were maintained in a confidential database.
Of 385 surveys mailed, 207 (53.7%) were returned. There were 172 usable questionnaires, for an overall response rate of 44.6%. Nearly 93% of respondents worked in states east of the Mississippi River. Mean age was 42.4 years (range, 33-50 years) and 94.7% were male. Over 66% of the surgeons were fellowship trained in trauma, and 44% were chiefs of trauma services. The mean years of experience was 8.8 years (range, 1-17 years). Most respondents worked at teaching institutions (88%) and Level I centers (66%). The mean annual compensation was $229,142+/-$78,045 (range, $90,000-$528,000). These salaries were comparable to ranges from academic surveys of general surgeons. Few surgeons had professional guidance negotiating their compensation. Survey respondents were aware of few objective data specific to trauma surgery.
This preliminary survey provides a unique benchmark for trauma surgeon salaries. Trauma surgeons should benefit from a more informed and structured approach to salary negotiations. Detailed trauma surgeon-specific data obtained periodically are essential to ensuring fair and equitable compensation in this specialty.
职业薪酬是所有医生都要重点考虑的因素。在美国，对于那些寻求就业或重新协商合同的人来说，几乎没有针对创伤外科的客观数据。全国性的基准薪资数据应有助于创伤外科医生获得公平合理的薪酬。本研究的目的是对创伤外科学会东部协会的创伤外科医生进行调查，了解他们目前的薪资水平、福利、合同安排、执业描述以及对专业报销的看法。
向创伤外科学会东部协会的活跃会员邮寄匿名自填式问卷。仅纳入在美国执业的普通外科医生。数据保存在一个保密数据库中。
共邮寄了385份调查问卷，207份（53.7%）被退回。有172份可用问卷，总体回复率为44.6%。近93%的受访者在密西西比河以东的州工作。平均年龄为42.4岁（范围33 - 50岁），94.7%为男性。超过66%的外科医生接受过创伤专科培训，44%是创伤服务科主任。平均工作年限为8.8年（范围1 - 17年）。大多数受访者在教学机构工作（88%）和一级中心工作（66%）。平均年薪为229,142美元±78,045美元（范围90,000美元 - 528,000美元）。这些薪资与普通外科医生学术调查的范围相当。很少有外科医生在协商薪酬时有专业指导。调查受访者知晓的针对创伤外科的客观数据很少。
这项初步调查为创伤外科医生的薪资提供了一个独特的基准。创伤外科医生应从更明智、更有条理的薪资谈判方法中受益。定期获取详细的特定于创伤外科医生的数据对于确保该专业的公平合理薪酬至关重要。
