Contemplating a Career in Burn Surgery: Data From the 2016 Burn Physician Survey

There is a paucity of information in the peer-reviewed literature characterizing the current burn surgeon workforce and compensation potential, and, in a parallel topic, training opportunities and recruitment methods. What does exist documents minimal exposure to the field and surgeon shortages. A comprehensive survey was created to address 1) the demographics of current burn surgeons in practice, and 2) the structure of burn centers training models. Finally, three questions were asked regarding job satisfaction. With a response rate of 23%, demographics reflect representative involvement across the age spectrum. The majority of respondents (73.9%) had training in general surgery, with subsequent postgraduate training primarily in surgical critical care or burn fellowships. Two-thirds of respondents have active practices, cover multiple specialties, and take multispecialty call throughout the month. A variety of models are used to calculate compensation. The vast majority of burn centers train residents: general surgery residents (89%), plastic surgery residents (63%), and emergency medicine residents (32%), most of whom are in their first 3 years of training. The majority of respondents would become a burn surgeon again if they had to do it over and would recommend it to young surgeons as a career. A representative sample of burn surgeons from across North America sustains practices in similar ways. Access to the next generation of surgeons is at an early period in training (PGY13) which may prove valuable as surgical education evolves. Overall, burn surgeons express good job satisfaction, a significant point of interest as attention turns towards succession planning.