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Intellectual stimulation, teaching main reasons Mohs surgeons give for working in academia

Seventy-one percent of academic Mohs surgeons plan on staying in academia, with intellectual stimulation and teaching opportunities given as the top reasons for practicing in an academic setting, according to recently published survey results.

Researchers electronically distributed a two-part Internet based survey to members of the American College of Mohs Surgery in 2013. Part 1 of the survey was sent to Mohs surgeons in academic dermatology, asking them the importance of staying in academic practice. A second survey was sent to former academic Mohs surgeons in private practice asking why they left academic to be in private practice.

The survey was completed by 236 dermatologic surgeons: 29% in full-time academic settings, 7% in part-time academic practice and 64% in private practice. Fifty-five percent of the academic Mohs surgeons were male. Intellectual stimulation (65%), teaching opportunities (55%) and collaborating with other university physicians and researchers (48%) were top reasons for practicing in an academic setting. Thirty-four percent of academic Mohs surgeons operate four times a week, while 31% operated three times a week.

Of the academic Mohs surgeons surveyed, 71% indicated they would stay in academic dermatology, 7% would not and 22% were undecided. In a 2003 survey, 83% of Mohs academic surgeons reported they would stay in academic dermatology. Top reasons given for possibly leaving academics included a change in income or unfair compensation, inadequate support staff, poor leadership, increased bureaucracy and decreased autonomy.

“Aiming to provide fair compensation, adequate support for scholarly pursuits, a nurturing environment with strong mentorship and increased leadership responsibilities will encourage current academic Mohs surgeons to remain in academia,” the researchers concluded. – By Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.