Perceptions of Specialty, Training, and Future Among Pulmonology Residents in Türkiye: A Cross-sectional, Nationwide, Multi-institutional Online Survey.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate specialty preferences, training environments, working conditions, professional concerns, and perceptions regarding the future of the pulmonology specialty among resident physicians in Türkiye.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional, nationwide, multi-institutional online survey was conducted between January 30 and March 30, 2026, with voluntary and anonymous participation. Pulmonology residents were recruited through professional networks using voluntary convenience sampling. Affirmative specialty and institution re-choice were analyzed using prespecified multivariable logistic regression, with multinomial sensitivity analyses performed.

RESULTS

Among 158 respondents [median age, 29 years (interquartile range, 27-31); 70.3% women], 63 (39.9%) would choose pulmonology again, 66 (41.8%) would be undecided, and 65 (41.1%) would choose their institution again. A high or very high impact of work hours or night shifts was reported by 88 of 157 respondents (56.1%). First-choice pulmonology was associated with specialty re-choice [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.42-5.93], whereas high burden was associated with lower specialty re-choice (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.60). For institutional re-choice, high burden (aOR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07-0.34) and training/research hospital sector (aOR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16-0.95) were associated with lower odds, while resident-reported accreditation was associated with higher odds (aOR, 4.37; 95% CI, 1.23-15.53). Multinomial analyses were consistent.

CONCLUSION

Affirmative specialty and institutional commitment were limited. Work-hours/night-shift burden was the most consistent correlate; however, the imprecise accreditation estimate should not be interpreted causally.