The Retention of USUHS Military Physicians: An Exploratory Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Military Health
• Physician Retention

Background:

• Previous studies examined USU medical graduate career accomplishments via alumni surveys.
• This study aims to link graduate accomplishments to military retention.
• Investigates relationship between career milestones, academic achievement, and continued military service.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the relationship between USU medical graduate accomplishments and military retention.
• To identify factors influencing physician retention in military service.
• To inform strategies for retaining skilled physicians within the armed forces.

Main Methods:

• Utilized alumni survey data from USU graduates (Classes of 1980-2017).
• Analyzed survey items including military rank, medical specialty, and operational experience.
• Correlated these factors with military retention data.

Main Results:

• Physicians with deployment history demonstrated a 67.1% retention rate.
• Fellowship directors (72.3%) and Public Health Service (PHS) alumni (69%) exhibited higher retention.
• Physicians in high-demand specialties (e.g., otolaryngology, psychiatry) showed lower retention rates.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to understand retention challenges for full-time clinicians, junior physicians, and those in high-demand specialties.
• Identifying underlying reasons for lower retention is crucial for developing effective strategies.
• Addressing these factors will help retain highly skilled physicians in the military.