Perceptions of the academic environment: a national survey

Two randomly selected subsets of dermatology training program graduates who passed qualifying examinations for certification by the American Board of Dermatology in 1984 and 1989 received a questionnaire concerning their perceptions of academic teaching positions. Approximately one third responded. Those in private practice indicated financial constraints, lack of "control," and the requirement to be "political" as negative factors in academic centers, whereas those in academic positions indicated the inordinate amount of time that was required to achieve academic goals as the major negative factor. Both groups believed that the opportunity to teach and intellectual challenge were the most valued elements in academic careers. There was considerable misunderstanding among all respondents about the diversity of goals, methods, and opportunities that are found in many academic programs.