Recruitment & Retainment of Vascular Surgeons: Prophylactic Measures to Improve the Current Workforce Crisis

The vascular surgery workforce is in jeopardy with the current and increasing shortages. This study explores target populations for recruitment and aims to identify potential modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with reduced job satisfaction among practicing vascular surgeons to improve retention and prevent early retirement. A cross-sectional national survey of surgeons (n = 1,043) was conducted from September 2016 to May 2017. Data included, demographic and occupational characteristics, as well as psychological, work-life balance, work-environment, and job-satisfaction variables. Surgeons were grouped into general surgery (n = 507), obstetrics and gynecology (n = 272), surgical subspecialties (n = 212), and vascular surgery (n = 52). Vascular surgeons were recategorized as more satisfied and less satisfied, and potential risk factors for job dissatisfaction were identified. As compared with general surgeons, obstetrics and gynecology, as well as other surgical subspecialties, vascular surgery tended to be male-dominated with higher rates of non-white, minority groups (P