Motivations of applicants pursuing an advanced endoscopy fellowship

The latest issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy examines characteristics, goals, and motivations of applicants pursuing a fourth-year advanced endoscopy fellowship.

The number of applications to advanced endoscopy fellowships has increased in past years. There is limited knowledge regarding why gastroenterology fellows pursue interventional/advanced endoscopy as a career.

Dr Arvind Trindade and colleagues explored the characteristics, goals, and motivations of applicants applying for advance endoscopy fellowships.

A total of 101 applicants of the 2011 interventional/advanced endoscopy fellowship match were sent a survey via electronic mail 4 weeks after the match.

A total of 65 applicants participated.

The research team found that the response rate was 64%.

A total of 69% of applicants intended to pursue academics

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

By the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, 67% had decided to apply for an interventional/advanced endoscopy fellowship.

Half stated that pursuing a career in interventional/advanced endoscopy was a difficult decision.

The researchers' primary concerns included the additional year of training and the delay in income.

The team noted that a total of 69% of applicants intended to pursue academics.

Applicants listed endoscopic procedures, exposure to mentors in the field, and demand for the skill set as the most significant sources of motivation in pursuing interventional/advanced endoscopy.

The team observed that influential factors in an applicant's decision to choose a program included high procedure volume, reputation of the program, and a desirable geographic location.

Applicants who reported difficulty in choosing interventional/advanced endoscopy as a career were less inclined to pursue academia as compared with those with no difficulty deciding.

The research team noted that these same applicants were similarly less motivated to pursue research.

Applicants who favored academia versus private practice listed mentors in the field, and research interest as significant factors.

Dr Trindade and colleagues comment, "Although a majority of applicants decided to pursue careers in interventional/advanced endoscopy during the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, making the decision was difficult for half of the applicants."

"Motivations for choosing interventional/advanced endoscopy as a career differed among applicants interested in academics versus private practice."