Table 1 Focus group questions

Why did you choose to pursue the subspecialty to which you matched?

How did you go about making your decision to pursue this fellowship?

When did you decide on this subspecialty?

Was there anything in particular during your residency that caused you to pick this fellowship over another?

Closed Ended Questions

Did any of the following affect your decision?

Items drawn from literature:

-projected income when training completed^2,9

-lifestyle (time for non-work activities and/or family)^2,9

-subject matter²

-ability to do procedures/technical skills²

-breadth of practice²

-long-term vs. short-term relationships with patients²

-inpatient vs. outpatient care²

-role models²

-negative influences ("why would you want to pursue that?")²

-marital status⁹

-personal debt⁹

-wanted or did not want to deal with certain patient populations⁹

Items postulated to be important by authors:

-opportunities for teaching

-opportunities for research

-prestige/respect from colleagues

-prestige/respect from those outside medicine (friends/family)

-job prospects/opportunities/openings

-national trends

-length of training

-other personal issues