The motivation to pursue surgical subspecialty training is largely gender-neutral: A national survey in Switzerland

Objectives: Over the last years, an increasing proportion of general surgeons have opted for a surgical sub-specialization, possibly due to economic pressures. With regard to the increase in women physicians, the aim of the present study was to examine qualitatively and quantitatively gender differences and reasons for obtaining sub-specialization in surgery. Methods: Survey among board-certified surgeons and surgical residents in Switzerland. Content analyses were done by using Mayring’s content analysis. Results: A total of 455 arguments to pursue surgical subspecialty training were grouped in six different categories, namely: “Interest” (82/512, 16.0%), “demand for quality” (104/512, 20.3%), “future prospects” (142/512, 27.7%), “obligation to specialize” (48/512, 9.4%), “financial reasons” (10/512, 2.0%), and “prestige” (13/512, 2.5%). Men mentioned “demand for quality” (P = 0.01) significantly more often than women, but there were no other statistically significant differences between genres. Conclusions: Intrinsic arguments were more important, including a “demand for quality”, especially for men. However, the arguments in favor of surgical subspecialty training are largely gender-neutral.