An analysis of the cost of postgraduate training in surgery in Ireland compared to other specialties

INTRODUCTION: Postgraduate specialty training in Ireland is associated with considerable cost. Some of these are mandatory costs such as medical council fees, while others are necessary to ensure career progression, such as attendance at courses and conferences. In particular, surgical specialities are believed to be associated with high training costs. It is unknown how these costs compare to those borne by counterparts in other specialities. AIMS: The aims of this study were to: 1. Quantify the amount that trainees in Ireland spend on postgraduate training. 2. Determine whether a difference exists between surgery and other non-skill-based specialties in terms of expenditure on training. METHODS: A standardised non-mandatory questionnaire was circulated to trainees across two training centres in Ireland. Trainees at all levels were invited to participate. RESULTS: Sixty responses were obtained. Fifty-seven questionnaires were fully completed and included for analysis. The median expenditure on training was higher for surgical than non-surgical specialities. Subgroup analysis revealed surgical training was associated with higher expenditure on higher degrees and courses compared to medical training (p = 0.035). > 95% of trainees surveyed felt that greater financial support should be available for trainees during the course of their training. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a career in surgery is associated with higher ongoing costs for higher degrees and courses than counterparts in non-surgical training. All surgical trainees surveyed felt that better financial support should be available. Increasing financial support for may be a tangible way to mitigate against attrition during training.