Is there declining interest in general surgery training?

To monitor and report the quality of categorical first-year surgery residents matched to U.S. general surgery training programs from 1996 to 2001.

A survey was sent to 258 program directors of accredited general surgery training programs. In this survey, data were requested regarding United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 scores, matched residents' rank list position, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) status, number of applications received, and interviews granted pertaining to all National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) residents matched. In addition, the USMLE and NRMP were petitioned for national data regarding Step 1 and 2 scores in all entering surgery residents and first-time USMLE takers.

Usable survey data were received on 1241 residents. The number for each year (and percent of total matched PGY-1 residents) was as follows: 1996-196 (20.0), 1997-206 (20.4), 1998-204 (19.9), 1999-212 (21.0), 2000-212 (20.7), and 2001-211 (21.7). The mean Step 1 scores increased over time (p < 0.001), and programs with 5 or more categorical spots had higher scores than those with 4 or less (p < 0.001). The depth required to fill the rank list increased over the study period (p < 0.05). National data received from the NRMP from 1994 to 2001 (mean of 916 residents at each year) showed a similar increase in USMLE Step 1 scores when compared with our survey. The proportion of AOA students matching into general surgery has decreased from 30% in 1996 to 15% in 2001 (p < 0.001).

Over the 6 years of our study, USMLE Step 1 scores increased and the results of our survey are in agreement with the national data. However, the proportion of AOA students declined, implying the top 10% of the medical school class found general surgery training less attractive. Also, programs went deeper into their rank lists to fill, implying a shrinking pool of candidates.