Pay-to-Play: The Rising Cost of Subspecialty Conference Attendance for Surgical Residents

Objective

Surgical society conferences play a vital role in academic medicine, offering exposure to subspecialties, networking, and research presentation opportunities for surgical residents. However, the rising costs of attendance pose financial challenges, potentially deterring participation. We aimed to assess changes in conference costs, travel policies, and expenses for general surgery residents in North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC) general surgery residency programs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We collected registration data for major surgical society conferences in 2009 and 2019. Airfare estimates were derived from U.S. Department of Transportation data, while hotel costs were calculated based on negotiated rates for conference dates. Miscellaneous expenses were approximated using a per diem rate. Statistical analyses compared costs using paired T-tests (p < 0.05).

Results

There was a significant increase in registration costs from 2009 to 2019 (mean: $103 vs. $213; p = 0.04), outpacing inflation. However, there were no statistically significant changes in hotel costs or total attendance expenses over the same period. Flight costs decreased slightly, but not significantly (p = 0.18).

Conclusion

While this study highlights a notable rise in conference registration fees, total attendance costs remained stable. Nevertheless, the financial burden on residents and programs remains considerable. We recommend surgical societies reassess their registration policies to alleviate costs and enhance access, potentially through increased scholarship opportunities, ensuring conferences remain accessible to all residents.