RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Trends in types of graduate degrees and research output for academic general surgeons in Canada
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E88
OP E92
DO 10.1503/cjs.020721
VO 66
IS 1
A1 Kevin Verhoeff
A1 Kieran Purich
A1 Alexander Miles
A1 Janice Y. Kung
A1 A.M. James Shapiro
A1 David L. Bigam
YR 2023
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/66/1/E88.abstract
AB The proportion of general surgeons with graduate degrees in Canada is increasing. We sought to evaluate the types of graduate degree held by surgeons in Canada, and whether differences in publication capacity exist. We evaluated all general surgeons working at English-speaking Canadian academic hospitals to determine the types of degrees achieved, changes over time and research output associated with each degree. We identified 357 surgeons, of whom 163 (45.7 %) had master’s degrees and 49 (13.7 %) had PhDs. Achievement of graduate degrees increased over time, with more surgeons earning master’s degrees in public health (MPH), clinical epidemiology and education (MEd), and fewer master’s degrees in science (MSc) or PhDs. Most publication metrics were similar by degree type, but surgeons with PhDs published more basic science research than those with clinical epidemiology, MEd or MPH degrees (2.0 v. 0.0, p < 0.05); surgeons with clinical epidemiology degrees published more first-author articles than surgeons with MSc degrees (2.0 v. 0.0, p = 0.007). An increasing number of general surgeons hold graduate degrees, with fewer pursuing MSc and PhD degrees, and more holding MPH or clinical epidemiology degrees. Research productivity is similar for all groups. Support to pursue diverse graduate degrees could enable a greater breadth of research.