SA1 - Lifestyle and Career Satisfaction among U.S-based Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: Results of a Nationwide Survey

On-demand

Oral Abstract Presenter(s)

Vivian Wing Yan Chau, DMD

Student
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Rushil R. Dang, BDS, DMD

Fellow
Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Pushkar Mehra, BDS, DMD, MS, FACS

Professor and Chair
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine & Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify predictors of lifestyle and career satisfaction among U.S-based oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs).

Methods: All active members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) with a non-generic email were invited to participate in a survey-based assessment. The survey was constructed using the online platform Qualtrics (Provo, UT). A total of 12 close-ended questions were designed and distributed. Two follow-up reminder emails were sent, each after a two-week period. Descriptive statistics were computed. Responses were evaluated through univariate analysis.

Results: In total, 280 of the 820 invitees completed the survey for an overall response rate of 34%. Majority of respondents were male (89%), more than 45 years old (71%), working in a private-practice setting (55%), and had been in practice for more than 15 years (66%); 61% of the respondents reported taking call more than 3 days a week, with 88% of them stating a negative impact on their practice due to their call schedule. An overwhelming majority of 84.2% OMSs reported being satisfied with their career and 77.5% of respondents were willing to choose a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery again as a fourth-year dental student. On univariate analysis, factors associated with overall career satisfaction included: age, practice location, salary, and personal life balance (P < .01).

Conclusion: Despite length of training and professional burnout, there is a significant degree of career satisfaction among OMSs practicing in the United States. The majority of queried surgeons would choose the specialty as a profession if given the choice again. Factors associated with negative impact on professional practice need to be further studied at local, regional, and national levels.

References:
1. Nguyen PD, Herrera FA, Roostaeian J, Da Lio AL, Crisera CA, Festekjian JH: Career satisfaction and burnout in the reconstructive microsurgeon in the United States. Microsurgery 35(1):1-5, 2015
2. Balch CM, Shanafelt TD, Sloan JA, Satele DV, Freischlag JA: Distress and career satisfaction among 14 surgical specialties, comparing academic and private practice settings. Ann Surg 254(4):558-68, 2011