Perceptions of the Stressful Job Search for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellows

The PHO workforce landscape has been evolving over the past decades, with concern for waning interest in the subspecialty. In this study, we aimed to evaluate perceptions of the PHO workforce (both fellows and faculty), the experience of seeking an initial faculty position, and its impact on fellow stress and anxiety. An anonymous survey consisting of demographics, job search experiences including barriers and helpful tools, and emotional health impacts such as stress and anxiety was developed and distributed to all PHO fellowship programs. Seventy-nine fellows and 83 faculty responded. Faculty were less likely than fellows to perceive that fellows are struggling to find jobs ( P= 0.0198). However, faculty were more likely than fellows to perceive that fellows are either “extremely stressed” or “stressed” due to job search ( P= 0.0003). By June 2021, 30 of 44 (68%) candidates had been offered a position, and 80% of those had accepted. There were no significant associations between fellow stress level and job offering, proximity to their ideal goals, or change in career type. Common barriers to the job search included geographic constraints and partner employment. Respondents identified centralized job listings, formal training on career development strategies, introduction to various career paths, and more transparency about the job search as needed interventions. The perception of difficulty and stress regarding the job search is endorsed by most, identifying a need for more interventions to improve the job search experience. These data also highlight unmet mentorship and educational needs among PHO fellows in preparing for the job search.