ABSTRACT
Background: Postgraduate education is essential for training highly qualified health professionals; however, there is a lack of studies in Brazil evaluating career outcomes of gastroenterology alumni.
Aims: To analyze the sociodemographic profile, academic background, career outcomes, and perceived impact of postgraduate training in Sciences, more specifically in Gastroenterology, comparing physicians and non-physicians, as well as physicians with surgical versus clinical training.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among alumni who completed master’s and doctoral degrees from 2012 to 2024 at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine. A 47-item questionnaire collected data on demographics, training, professional practice, academic productivity, and program impact. Statistical comparisons were performed using ꭓ2 or Fisher’s exact tests and the Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05).
Results: Of the 332 eligible alumni, 172 completed the questionnaire (51.8%). The mean age was 43 years; 53.5% were men, and 69.8% were physicians. Postgraduate training was considered fundamental by 51.2% and highly impactful by 37.2, and 74.4% would certainly pursue it again. Physicians were older, had higher scientific output, and more frequently held academic and leadership positions. Non-physicians were predominantly women, received a higher number of scholarships, and more frequently reported positive career changes. Among physicians, those with surgical training had higher income, more academic titles, and were more often based in São Paulo, whereas those with clinical training reported more professional opportunities.
Conclusions: Postgraduate training in Sciences in the field of Gastroenterology, had a relevant positive impact on academic and professional development, with differences according to baseline training and professional profile.
Headings:
Education, Graduate; Internship and Residency; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Colorectal Surgery; Digestive System Surgical Procedures
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Postgraduate education in Brazil was formally established in the 1960s and has become essential for scientific and technological development. In 2011, Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine merged the Gastrointestinal Surgery and Clinical Gastroenterology programs into an interdisciplinary postgraduate program in Sciences in Gastroenterology for physicians and other health professionals. Despite the relevance of postgraduate training, studies evaluating alumni outcomes in gastroenterology remain scarce in Brazil. This study assessed the academic and professional trajectories of alumni, comparing career outcomes and perceived impact between physicians and non-physicians.
CENTRAL MESSAGE Postgraduate education has a relatively recent history in Brazil. In 2011, the Gastrointestinal Surgery and Clinical Gastroenterology programs were officially merged to form the Postgraduate Program in Sciences in Gastroenterology, offering both master’s and doctoral degrees. Despite its importance, systematic evaluation of alumni outcomes remains scarce in Brazil, particularly in the field of gastrointestinal surgery and gastroenterology. Most of the data available derive from international experiences or broader surveys in health sciences. Identifying the sociodemographic profile, academic background, career paths, and perceived impact of postgraduate education is crucial for guiding institutional strategies and contributing to the evaluation metrics by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel.
PERSPECTIVES This survey of alumni from a postgraduate program in Sciences in Gastroenterology demonstrates that postgraduate studies have a strong impact on both personal and professional development. Most alumni reported career and academic growth, and the majority would certainly enroll again. Differences between physicians and non-physicians, and between surgical and clinical training, highlight the diverse ways postgraduate education shapes careers. At the same time, limited research funding and the concentration of professionals in large urban centers remain persistent challenges. These findings reinforce the pivotal role of postgraduate education in advancing health sciences while pointing to opportunities for greater equity and improved regional distribution of qualified professionals.
RESUMO
Racional: A pós-graduação é fundamental para a formação de profissionais qualificados em saúde, porém há escassez de estudos no Brasil que avaliem os desfechos de egressos na área de gastroenterologia.
Objetivos: Analisar o perfil sociodemográfico, formação acadêmica, desfechos de carreira e a percepção do impacto da pós-graduação em Ciências em Gastroenterologia, comparando médicos e não médicos, bem como médicos com formação cirúrgica versus clínica.
Métodos: Estudo transversal com egressos de mestrado e doutorado formados entre 2012 e 2024 na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Aplicou-se questionário com 47 itens abordando dados demográficos, formação, atuação profissional, produção acadêmica e impacto do programa. As comparações estatísticas utilizaram testes do ꭓ2 ou exato de Fisher e o teste de Mann-Whitney (p<0,05).
Resultados: Dos 332 egressos elegíveis, 172 responderam ao questionário (51,8%). A idade média foi de 43 anos; 53,5% eram homens e 69,8% médicos. A pós-graduação foi considerada fundamental por 51,2% e altamente impactante por 37,2, e 74,4% certamente a fariam novamente. Médicos apresentaram maior idade, maior produção científica e maior frequência de cargos acadêmicos e de liderança. Não médicos foram predominantemente mulheres, receberam mais bolsas e relataram com maior frequência mudança positiva de carreira. Entre os médicos, aqueles com formação cirúrgica tiveram maior renda, mais títulos acadêmicos e maior concentração em São Paulo, enquanto os de formação clínica relataram mais oportunidades profissionais.
Conclusões: A pós-graduação em Ciências em Gastroenterologia exerceu impacto positivo relevante no desenvolvimento acadêmico e profissional, com diferenças conforme a formação de base e o perfil profissional.
Descritores:
Educação de Pós-Graduação; Internato e Residência; Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Operatórios; Cirurgia Colorretal; Procedimentos Cirúrgicos do Sistema Digestório
INTRODUCTION
Postgraduate education has a relatively recent history in Brazil. Although initiatives in advanced training can be traced back to the early 20th century, the formal postgraduate system was only structured in the mid-1960s, following the recommendations of the Sucupira Report (1965)10. This document set the foundations for master’s and doctoral postgraduate programs, aligning Brazil with international standards for master’s and doctoral degrees. Since then, postgraduate education has expanded substantially, becoming a central component of scientific and technological development in the country1,2,13.
The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) was created to promote postgraduate education and evaluate the performance of programs nationwide. In its assessment system, the trajectory of alumni has become an increasingly relevant metric, as it reflects not only the academic output of programs but also their ability to train professionals who contribute to teaching, research, healthcare, and innovation2,14.
In recent years, several initiatives have strengthened the postgraduate programs at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine (FMUSP). In 2011, the Gastrointestinal Surgery and Clinical Gastroenterology programs were officially merged to form the Postgraduate Program in Sciences in Gastroenterology, offering both master’s and doctoral degrees. The present study focuses on alumni who completed their studies after this integration, ensuring that the analysis reflects the program’s consolidated structure. Importantly, the program admits not only physicians but also professionals from related health fields, such as nutrition, pharmacy, psychology, and others, broadening its scope and reinforcing the interdisciplinary impact of postgraduate training5,7,8.
Despite its importance, systematic evaluation of alumni outcomes remains scarce in Brazil, particularly in the field of gastrointestinal surgery and gastroenterology. Most of the data available derive from international experiences or broader surveys in health sciences. Identifying the sociodemographic profile, academic background, career paths, and perceived impact of postgraduate education is crucial for guiding institutional strategies and contributing to CAPES evaluation metrics3,4.
This study aimed to evaluate the professional and academic trajectories of alumni from a postgraduate program in Sciences in Gastroenterology, analyzing their sociodemographic profiles, career outcomes, and perceived impact. We also compared physicians with non-physicians to better understand potential differences in career development and professional opportunities after completing postgraduate education.
METHODS
This cross-sectional survey included alumni of the Postgraduate Program in Sciences in Gastroenterology at FMUSP. Eligible participants were individuals who completed master’s or doctoral studies between 2012 and 2024. Individuals who did not complete the questionnaire or submitted incomplete questionnaires were excluded.
Alumni were invited through an electronic link distributed via e-mail and instant messaging applications. The survey consisted of 47 questions and was designed to be completed in approximately seven minutes. Mandatory and conditional branching items were included, and multiple responses were allowed when applicable. For alumni living abroad, technical issues prevented access to REDCap; therefore, Google Forms or a PDF version of the questionnaire was provided. Up to four weekly reminders were sent, and non-respondents were followed individually. No incentives were offered.
The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, undergraduate and postgraduate education, scholarships and funding, professional trajectory, academic and research activities, and perceptions regarding the impact of postgraduate studies.
Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, whereas continuous variables were expressed as means and standard deviations or medians and interquartile ranges, depending on the distribution. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables, and the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (protocol number 79812624.9.0000.0068). All participants provided informed consent.
RESULTS
A total of 332 alumni who had completed postgraduate studies in Sciences in Gastroenterology from January 2012 to December 2024 were identified and contacted. Of these, 174 responses were received, and two were excluded due to incompleteness, resulting in 172 valid questionnaires, a response rate of 51.8%.
The mean age of respondents was 43 years (standard deviation (SD) 6.9; range 30-65), with a median of 42 years. Slightly more than half were male (92; 53.5%), and most selfidentified as Caucasian (140; 81.4%). Alumni came from every region of Brazil, with the Southeast region being the most represented (112; 65.1%). Five (2.9%) respondents were from outside Brazil (Figure 1A).
Maps depicting: (A) Brazilian States where alumni* came from; (B) Brazilian States where alumni* currently work; and (C) Countries where alumni* work. *Alumni who completed postgraduate studies in Sciences in Gastroenterology at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, from January 2012 to December 2024.
Source: Personal archive.
Regarding academic background, most respondents held a medical degree (120; 69.8%), followed by nutrition (20; 11.6%), pharmacy (7; 4.1%), psychology (6; 3.5%), and other health disciplines. About half graduated from public universities (89; 51.7%), including 26 (15.1%) from FMUSP. With respect to their postgraduate trajectories, 75 (43.6%) had a direct-entry doctoral degree, 58 (33.7%) completed only a master’s degree, and 30 (17.4%) completed both degrees. The mean interval between undergraduate and postgraduate completion was 12 years (range 4–32), and the mean age at postgraduate completion was 36 years (range 25–56).
Scholarships during postgraduate studies were reported by 60 (34.9%) alumni, mostly funded by CAPES (44; 73.4%), FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) (11; 18.3%), and CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) (5; 8.3%). Project funding was less common (28; 16.3%), predominantly from FAPESP (23; 85.2%). Motivations for pursuing postgraduate studies included professional growth (153; 89%), personal growth (109; 63.4%), affinity for research (101; 58.7%), and institutional quality (95; 55.2%).
A substantial portion perceived postgraduate studies as having a fundamental impact on their professional life (88; 51.2%), with another 64 (37.2%) reporting a great but not decisive impact. Personal and professional growth were commonly attributed benefits (77.9% and 80.8%, respectively), and 128 (74.4%) would certainly pursue postgraduate studies again.
Regarding professional practice, 125 (72.7%) work primarily in healthcare, followed by research (21; 12.2%), teaching (17; 9.9%), and management (7; 4.1%). Most work in public and private institutions (68; 39.5%) or exclusively in the private healthcare sector (61; 35.5%). Academic activity was maintained by 115 (66.9%), and 96 (55.8%) engaged in research. The number of publications ranged widely: 62 (36%) reported 1-5 papers, 57 (33.1%) reported 6-20 papers, six had no publications, and six (3.5%) had more than 150 papers. Leadership roles were reported by 72 (41.9%), and 20 (11.6%) served on editorial boards. The current work location was heavily concentrated in São Paulo city (118; 68.6%), with 98 (57%) working in their city of origin (Figure 1B-C). Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of the population.
Characteristics of alumni who completed postgraduate studies in Sciences in Gastroenterology at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, from January 2012 to December 2024.
Comparisons between physicians and non-physicians revealed significant differences (Table 2). Physicians were older, graduated more often from public universities, and were more likely to have a direct-entry doctoral degree. They also reported greater academic involvement, higher publication output, more leadership roles, and higher income levels. Non-physicians were predominantly women, more often based in São Paulo city, and more likely to receive scholarships or project funding. Career change as a positive impact was significantly more common among non-physicians (15.4 vs. 2.5%, p=0.003).
Univariate analysis comparing physicians and non-physicians among alumni who completed postgraduate studies in Sciences in Gastroenterology at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, from January 2012 to December 2024.
Among physicians, those with surgical training differed from those with clinical training (Table 3). Surgeons were more frequently male, more likely to work in São Paulo, and held more senior academic titles. Clinicians more often reported new job opportunities after completing postgraduate studies. Surgeons had higher income levels and were more frequently indexed in Google Scholar.
Univariate analysis comparing physicians with surgical training and those with clinical training among alumni who completed postgraduate studies in Sciences in Gastroenterology at Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, from January 2012 to December 2024.
DISCUSSION
The postgraduate program evaluated in this study reflects the long-standing academic tradition of FMUSP, an institution that has played a central role in shaping medical and surgical education in Brazil9. With a response rate exceeding 50%, this study captured a broad spectrum of experiences and career outcomes among graduates over more than a decade. By surveying alumni from diverse backgrounds, our analysis provides a comprehensive overview of how postgraduate training has influenced personal and professional trajectories, while highlighting disparities and systemic challenges.
A key finding of this study is the substantial impact of postgraduate training on career development. More than half of the alumni considered the program fundamental to their professional trajectories, and an additional 37% reported a strong, though not decisive, impact. Importantly, 74% would certainly pursue postgraduate education again, underscoring the enduring value of this educational pathway. These findings are consistent with prior studies showing that academic degree training enhances career progression, academic productivity, and professional recognition in health sciences4,6,14.
Near gender parity was observed in the cohort (53.5% male vs. 46.5% female), a distribution that contrasts with the historical male predominance in surgical and academic careers. This aligns with broader national trends: women have been the majority of newly registered physicians in Brazil since 2009 and are soon expected to outnumber men among active physicians12. However, the predominance of male surgeons persists, reflecting well-documented gender disparities in the surgical field worldwide.
Of note, 33.7% of alumni completed only a master’s degree without advancing to doctoral studies. This reflects a structural challenge of the Brazilian postgraduate system, in which the sequential master’s-to-doctorate trajectory may discourage continuation. To mitigate this, the department has encouraged direct-entry doctoral admission, aiming to reduce barriers and maintain academic engagement after the master’s degree.
Strong contrasts were identified between physicians and non-physicians. Physicians were older, more likely to graduate from public universities, and had a higher prevalence of direct-entry doctoral degrees. They reported higher academic involvement, publication output, leadership roles, and income. Non-physicians were predominantly women, more frequently received scholarships and project funding, and more often reported career change as a meaningful impact. These findings highlight the multifaceted purposes of postgraduate programs, serving both for specialization and career redirection.
Differences were also observed among physicians based on surgical or clinical training. Surgeons were predominantly male, more concentrated in São Paulo, and more likely to hold senior academic titles. Clinicians reported more new job opportunities after postgraduate studies. These distinctions may reflect traditional gender imbalances in surgery, the concentration of surgical services in large cities, and the greater academic competitiveness of surgical fields.
The geographic distribution analysis highlights a persistent challenge: the concentration of highly trained professionals in São Paulo and Southeastern Brazil. Although alumni came from all Brazilian regions, most continued to work in São Paulo city, reflecting the clustering of tertiary hospitals, research institutions, and better professional opportunities. This is consistent with findings by Pierantoni et al.11, who demonstrated that disparities in healthcare infrastructure and career prospects strongly favor retention in major urban centers. Reducing this imbalance will require coordinated policies that expand regional academic capacity, strengthen funding mechanisms, and offer meaningful incentives for professionals to work in underserved regions11,12.
Financial aspects also emerged as relevant. Fewer than 35% of alumni received scholarships, primarily from CAPES, FAPESP, and CNPq, and only 16% reported project funding. These findings highlight ongoing challenges in sustaining postgraduate training in Brazil, particularly given the long duration of studies and the high cost of living in major urban centers.
This study has limitations. As a cross-sectional survey, it relies on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias. Being restricted to a single institution limits the generalizability of findings. Furthermore, non-respondents may include alumni who are less satisfied with their postgraduate experience, potentially skewing results toward more favorable perceptions. Nevertheless, the response rate and sample size strengthen the robustness of our analysis.
Taken together, these findings provide an unprecedented and comprehensive view of the academic and professional development of alumni from one of Brazil’s most traditional postgraduate programs in gastroenterology. By offering detailed insights into career paths, academic engagement, geographic distribution, and perceived impact, this study fills an important knowledge gap in the national literature and generates evidence that can guide program leadership, institutional planning, and policy discussions within CAPES and beyond. The results also highlight the strategic role of interdisciplinary postgraduate training in strengthening the healthcare and scientific workforce. As such, the study not only documents the trajectories of graduates but also helps shape future directions for postgraduate education in Brazil (Table 2).
CONCLUSIONS
This survey of alumni from a postgraduate program in Sciences in Gastroenterology demonstrates that postgraduate studies have a strong impact on both personal and professional development. Most alumni reported career and academic growth, and the majority would certainly enroll again. Differences between physicians and non-physicians, and between surgical and clinical training, highlight the diverse ways postgraduate education shapes careers. At the same time, limited research funding and the concentration of professionals in large urban centers remain persistent challenges. These findings reinforce the pivotal role of postgraduate education in advancing health sciences while pointing to opportunities for greater equity and improved regional distribution of qualified professionals.
DATA AVAILABILITY
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Fonseca GM, Martucci RMZ, Jukemura J, Oliveira CPMS, Farias AQ, Ribeiro Junior U, et al. Career Outcomes and Perceptions of Alumni who completed Postgraduate Education in Sciences in Gastroenterology: insights from a Brazilian Single-Center Survey. ABCD Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2026;39:e1950. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-672020260000021e1950.
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Edited by
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Editor:
Nelson Adami Andreollo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7452-1165




