Educational Factors Outweigh the Importance of Lifestyle Factors for Residency Program Applicants: An International Comparative Study

ObjectiveAlthough studies have been conducted to identify factors that attract students to a career in surgery, the relative importance of factors that attract students to a particular training program remains unknown. Comparative data between countries may provide insights and ultimately provide guidance to program directors as they seek to attract the best applicants to their program.DesignBlinded written survey, scored 1–5 on a list of 26 factors divided into 3 categories, including educational factors, lifestyle factors, and other.SettingJichi Medical University, Japan and the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California–Los Angeles.ParticipantsJapan residents (N = 125), Japan Medical Students (N = 68), United States Residents (N = 99), and United States Students (N = 55).ResultsAll 4 groups surveyed judged faculty quality among the most important factors, with educational program quality, clinical experience and perceptions of resident happiness also rated among the most important. A comparison of factors consistent with lifestyle and factors consistent with the educational program found significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for educational factors by 3 groups surveyed.ConclusionsResident applicants are most interested in training program factors related to the quality of the educational program and the faculty. Issues such as salary, vacation, night call, location, or benefits are considered less important. The results in Japan and the United States were remarkably similar despite major differences in the educational system and debt load at the time of graduation. Program directors should communicate the value of those factors considered important by applicants as part of the recruitment process.