Salter SA, Kimball AB. Rising educational debt levels in recent dermatology trainees and effects on career choices.. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;54(2):329-31.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Educational debt levels are outpacing inflation.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether debt levels influence career choices of graduating dermatology residents.
METHODS: Anonymous surveys of graduating dermatology residents.
RESULTS: The presence of debt was associated negatively with pursuing fellowship training in 1999 and 2004 (P < .05) but did not affect choices about entering solo practice or job dissatisfaction levels.
LIMITATIONS: This study relies on self-reported data, and some surveys were incomplete.
CONCLUSION: Debt levels do not appear to significantly influence the career choices of dermatology residents.