Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41006790›Full record

ArticleAnnals of surgical oncology2026

Longitudinal Academic Productivity of Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Graduates: Misalignment Between Training, Career Trajectory, and Workforce Needs.

Zachary A Whitham, Elaine Hu, Maria C Russell, Sean Dineen, Matthew R Porembka, Herbert J Zeh, Michael I D'Angelica, Adam C Yopp

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Annals of surgical oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Zachary A WhithamDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Elaine HuDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Maria C RussellDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Sean DineenDepartment of GI Surgery, Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
Matthew R PorembkaDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Herbert J ZehDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Michael I D'AngelicaDepartment of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Adam C YoppDivision of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. adam.yopp@utsouthwestern.edu.

Funding

NIH HHS T32DK007745-28
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSecuring a position in a complex general surgical oncology (CGSO) fellowship requires significant academic productivity, often including dedicated research time during surgical residency. However, it remains unclear whether this research translates into continued scholarly activity post-fellowship. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal academic productivity among CGSO fellowship graduates and assess their perspectives on the current training paradigm.

methodsThe study identified 483 CGSO fellowship graduates (2006-2016) from 20 U.S. fellowship training programs. Academic productivity was assessed using publication count, h-index, and m-index. The study queried National Institutes of Health (NIH) and United States Department of Defense individual research funding through NIH reporter and Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program databases. A survey was distributed to assess career paths, practice settings, and opinions on training structure. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of sustained research activity.

resultsAlthough 71% of the CGSO graduates completed dedicated research time during residency, only 9% received extramural funding, and 60% had an m-index lower than 1, indicating limited long-term academic productivity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that fellowship training institution and attainment of advanced degrees were associated with higher m-index values, whereas residency research time was not. Survey responses (n = 181, 47% response rate) showed that most graduates devote the majority of their careers to clinical work and support restructuring the training model to align with actual practice patterns.

conclusionsDespite research serving as a de facto prerequisite for CGSO fellowship admission, few graduates maintain academic productivity after training. These findings underscore the need to re-evaluate the current CGSO training paradigm, with consideration for clinically focused and research-intensive fellowship tracks that better align with trainee goals and workforce needs.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchCareer ChoiceEducation, Medical, GraduateEfficiencyFellowships and ScholarshipsInternship and ResidencySurgical OncologyAdultFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited StatesWorkforceAcademic productivityCGSO fellowshipm-indexNIH fundingSurgical oncologySurgical trainingWorkforce alignment

Identifiers

PMID41006790

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.