A Web-based survey was constructed and the link sent to 122 university-based surgical department chairs in the United States in 2009 to evaluate previous and current VA affiliations as well as attitudes associated with academic program development.
A total of 58 of 122 surveys (47.5 % ) were completed. Seventy percent of surgical chairs received some of their training at VA facilities, and 65 % have held VA appointments. Although only 62 % of programs were affiliated with VA centers, 91 % of chairs believed that VA affiliations were important for their training programs. Additionally, 91 % felt that the VA was a good place for faculty development. Finally, 78 % indicated that the opportunity to obtain VA research funding is important for academic faculty development.
Academic program development is an important part of a chair's responsibilities. The overwhelming majority of surgical chairs view a VA affiliation as an important resource in building academic surgical programs.