Career Outcomes and Perceptions of Alumni who completed Postgraduate Education in Sciences in Gastroenterology: insights from a Brazilian Single-Center Survey.

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. 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.