Residents' Satisfaction with Canadian Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Programs

Objective: To describe residents' satisfaction with Canadian Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs. Design: Electronic survey of 21 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Setting: All Canadian Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency programs were surveyed between February and April 2008. Responses were anonymous and on a voluntary basis. Methods: All Canadian Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residents were surveyed between February and April 2008. Responses were anonymous and on a voluntary basis. Overall and selected item scores were compared between sexes with the t-test and between postgraduate year levels with analysis of variance. Linear regression model was used to identify factors that would predict burnout. Main Outcome Measures: Item scores and overall score. Results: Ninety-two of 140 residents responded (66%), including 23 female residents. More than 80% of residents agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements: satisfied with surgical volume (90%), satisfied with the amount of active operative participation (82%), confident about their surgical skills (90%), satisfied with teaching from attending staff (84%), have role models for career (93%) and have a good working environment (89%). Weaker areas identified included feedback, research support, and balance in life. Self-perceived burnout prevalence was 33%, with statistically significant higher rates in English programs (p < .001). No difference in both overall and item score was identified between sexes. Ninety-one percent of residents would still choose Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as a specialty. Conclusion: Overall, Canadian Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residents are very satisfied despite the fact that one-third reported suffering from burnout.