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A survey of how and why medical students and junior doctors choose a career in ENT surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2016

M Bhutta ,
R Mandavia ,
I Syed ,
A Qureshi ,
R Hettige ,
B Y W Wong ,
S Saeed  and
J Cartledge
M Bhutta*
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, London, UK Children's Surgical Centre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
R Mandavia
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, London, UK
I Syed
Affiliation:
ENT Department, University Hospital Lewisham, London, UK
A Qureshi
Affiliation:
ENT Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
R Hettige
Affiliation:
ENT Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
B Y W Wong
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Pinderfield Hospitals, Wakefield, UK
S Saeed
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, London, UK Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
J Cartledge
Affiliation:
Academic Centre for Medical Education, University College London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Mahmood Bhutta, Children's Surgical Centre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia E-mail: m.bhutta@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To ascertain determinants of an interest in a career in ENT surgery through a survey of medical students and junior doctors.

Methods:

A survey was administered, comprising Likert scales, forced response and single option questions, and free text responses, at five different courses or events for those interested in a career in ENT.

Results:

The survey had an 87 per cent response rate; respondents consisted of 43 applicants for national selection, 15 foundation doctors and 23 medical students. The most important factors that encourage ENT as a career included: the variety of operative procedures, work–life balance, inherent interest in this clinical area and inspirational senior role models. Exposure to ENT in undergraduate or post-graduate training is critical in deciding to pursue this specialty.

Conclusion:

It is important to promote those aspects of ENT surgery that attract people to it, and to argue for greater exposure to ENT during undergraduate and post-graduate training.

Keywords

Career ChoiceOtolaryngologySurveys
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 130 , Issue 11 , November 2016 , pp. 1054 - 1058
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

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