• Rimas V Lukas, Chao Ma, Jingcao Chen, Hongmei Dong, Jinxin Li, Zefen Wang, Ivy Jiang, Kai Fu, Samita Satnarayan, Dara V F Albert, and Renslow Sherer.
• Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Electronic address: rlukas@neurology.bsd.uchicago.edu.
• World Neurosurg. 2017 Feb 1; 98: 532-537.

BackgroundChina has a large and aging population. The need for physicians with training in clinical neurosciences will grow. There is little known regarding the factors that lead physicians in China to pursue careers in clinical neurosciences. The objective of this study was to garner a clearer understanding of factors that influence physicians to pursue careers in neurosurgery and neurology in China.MethodsWe surveyed attendees at a national neuroscience conference on the factors that influence their pursuit of careers in clinical neurosciences. Responses were quantified on a Likert scale. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare different groups of respondents.ResultsFactors associated with the intellectual elements of the specialties were rated most highly. Differences were noted between respondents, with trainees rating lifestyle-related factors more highly compared with attending physicians.ConclusionsThe intellectual challenges are important factors for physicians in China influencing the pursuit of careers in the clinical neurosciences. This finding echoes results found elsewhere in the world. However, differences with trainees elsewhere in the world emerge when evaluating additional factors influencing trainees pursuing careers in the clinical neurosciences. Trainees in China rate educational experiences and mentorship more highly, whereas U.S. trainees rate altruistic goals more highly. This study provides a clearer understanding of factors influencing career choice among clinical neuroscientists in China.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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