GS31 - Trends in Political Contributions by U.S. General Surgeons: An 18 Year Analysis

Primary Presenter(s)

TS

Thomas Scully, MS

Student
University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
San Antonio, Texas, United States

Author(s)

HG

Hillary Guerrero, BA

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
SAn Antonio, Texas, United States

Co-Presenter(s)

VM

Victor Martinez, BS

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
San Antonio, Texas, United States

Author(s)

TL

Tyler Larkin, BS

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
San Antonio, Texas, United States
TW

Tyler Williamson, MS

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Brooklyn, New York, United States

Introduction/Purpose: Healthcare policies continuously impact the daily practice of physicians. Political participation by the physician workforce is required to ensure that their interests are still represented in healthcare legislation. There is little information available on the political involvement of US surgeons. The purpose of this study is to report on the regional distribution, historical trend, and general form of political donations made by self-identified general surgeons.

Methods or Case Description: Using the search term "general surgeon," the Federal Election Commission database was searched for political contributions made by general surgeons from 2003 to 2021. The contributions of the recipients were classified as Republican, Democratic, or Independent by cross-referencing them with the FEC database. The data was then divided and analyzed further based on the contribution year and the geography of the contributing surgeon.

Outcomes: Between 2003 and 2021, general surgeons contributed $992,675.03, with 42.8% to the Republicans, 45.7% to the Democrats, and 11.5% to the Independents. The average contribution was $277.52±1271.74, with a significant difference over time (R: $449.20±1885.50 vs. D: $143.58±381.23). Alaska (9.8%), Idaho (4.1%), and Vermont (4.1%) contributed the most to political campaigns. From 2003 to 2021, there was a significant increase per year in contributions to the Democratic Party than the Republican Party with each year. Similarly, during the 2004 election year, 64.3% of general surgeon contributions went to the Republican party, while 57.3% went to the Democratic party during the 2020 election year.

Conclusion: The political contributions of general surgeons in the United States have grown over time. During the study period, contributions were predominantly partisan. Overall, this indicates a rise in political participation within the general surgery community. There is a need for further research into how this participation translates into representative health policy.