Help Us Improve Your Surgical Training Experience

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Am I eligible?

The study is open to all current (as of July 2021) surgical* residents and fellows at any of the four participating sites (Emory, Vanderbilt, University of Michigan, or University of Washington).

What will I be asked to do?

Once you sign up below, the survey will consist of the following components. You may opt out at any time, although we encourage you to stay with it through the end.

• Intake survey: Will be emailed when project launches in October 2021. Takes ~20 min to complete. Will ask about you and your general experiences at and satisfaction with work.

• Weekly surveys: You will receive weekly text messages asking you to complete a short survey (~5 min) indicating whether you have had any of a list of experiences at work that week. Weekly surveys will be sent for 13 weeks.

• Conclusion survey: Takes ~20 min to complete. Will ask about your general experiences at work and your satisfaction with work.

What will happen to my information?

Everything you report in this survey is 100% confidential and secure, and will be stored completely outside of the medical school. (Data will be securely stored at Emory University's Goizueta Business School.) Your residency program will never have access to your responses. Only aggregate information will ever be shared.

How will I be compensated?

You will be compensated up to $135 for your time, broken down as follows:

• $25 gift card after completing the intake survey

• $5 gift card for completing each weekly survey, with a $10 bonus if you complete at least 10 weekly surveys

• $35 gift card after completing the conclusion survey

Plus, all physicians who complete the study in its entirety will be entered to win a $500 gift card or one of two $250 gift cards at each program. (If you wish to enter the sweepstakes without participating in the study, email Professor Melissa Williams.)

Who is doing this survey?

This survey is a collaboration among social scientists and surgeons at Emory University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, and University of Washington School of Medicine. We have come together because we care about your professional well-being as well as making evidence-based decisions to improve work life for physicians. Please share your voice!

What if I have questions before the study begins?

Feel free to reach out to your local member of the research team if you'd like to know more:

• Annie Farrell, MD (Emory PGY-3)

• Brandon Esianor, MD (Vanderbilt PGY-4)

• Janice Farlow, MD (U Michigan PGY-5)

• Grace Wandell, MD (U Washington PGY-5)

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* Eligible surgical specialties and subspecialties are listed below. If you do not see your specialty listed and you would like to be included in Project WEST, please email your local team member (see above) to inquire.

• Adult reconstructive orthopedic surgery

• Colorectal surgery

• Congenital cardiac surgery

• Craniofacial surgery

• Endovascular surgical neuroradiology

• Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery

• Foot and ankle orthopedic surgery

• General surgery

• Hand surgery, musculoskeletal oncology

• Neurosurgery

• Neurotology

• Ophthalmology

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery

• Orthopedic sports medicine

• Orthopedic surgery

• Orthopedic surgery of the spine

• Orthopedic trauma

• Otolaryngology

• Pediatric otolaryngology

• Pediatric general surgery, surgical critical care

• Pediatric orthopedic surgery

• Pediatric urology

• Plastic surgery

• Plastic surgery (integrated)

• Thoracic surgery (integrated)

• Urology

• Vascular surgery (integrated)

• Vascular surgery fellowship, general

• Vascular surgery, surgical oncology