Questionnaire survey on work motivations of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary pancreatic surgeons enrolled in a Japanese national interdisciplinary program.

BACKGROUND

Among young residents, there seems to be a decreasing desire to become surgeons, resulting in a decrease in the number of surgeons. There is concern regarding a shortage of hepatobiliary pancreatic (HBP) surgery residents in Japan. A questionnaire survey was designed to assess the work motivations of Japanese gastrointestinal (GI) and HBP surgeons.

METHODS

Questionnaires assessing seven domains related to motivation (aptitude, satisfaction/dissatisfaction, knowledge/skill, evaluation/approval, self-management, community/expectation from other parties, and emotion) were sent to GI and HBP surgeons throughout Japan. Differences between HBP and GI surgeons were analyzed.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 27 institutions in Japan between May and August 2014. Mid-career and senior HBP surgeons (11-20 years after graduation) working in university hospitals were significantly less satisfied with their work than GI surgeons (P = 0.036). Evaluation/approval factors were significantly lower in senior HBP surgeons than in GI surgeons 16-20 years after graduation (P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The future satisfaction of young residents seeking to become HBP surgeons should be enhanced, providing an appealing workplace for young residents and preventing discontinuation by mid-career and senior surgeons.