Medical Student Career Choice Research Articles

Career Development Programs at Yonsei University College of Medicine

The career choices of medical students are significant for both individual students and society, which relies on a robust public healthcare system. Medical schools should provide a conducive environment and diverse information to enable students to make mature career decisions. Yonsei University College of Medicine conducts extracurricular programs for students’ career development, including the Career Choice Expo, Career Path Survey, Special Lecture on Career Development, and a Visible Radio Show focused on career counseling. Additionally, the intracurricular activities offered by the college include career advising to students through faculty advisors in learning communities based on students’ reflective writing about career-related activities. Medical students, in the process of forming their career decisions, compare what they have learned in the medical school curriculum with information acquired through extracurricular activities, taking into consideration their individual characteristics. Through longitudinal discussions with faculty advisors in learning communities, medical students not only gain recognition for the validity of their exploratory activities but also develop a sense of self-efficacy in making career decisions. The career education program at Yonsei University College of Medicine aligns with recent perspectives emphasizing the integration of career counseling for medical students into the curriculum in order to increase effectiveness.

Exploring Medical Career Choice to Better Inform Swiss Physician Workforce Planning: Protocol for a National Cohort Study.

A medical student's career choice directly influences the physician workforce shortage and the misdistribution of resources. First, individual and contextual factors related to career choice have been evaluated separately, but their interaction over time is unclear. Second, actual career choice, reasons for this choice, and the influence of national political strategies are currently unknown in Switzerland. The overall objective of this study is to better understand the process of Swiss medical students' career choice and to predict this choice. Our specific aims will be to examine the predominately static (ie, sociodemographic and personality traits) and predominately dynamic (ie, learning context perceptions, anxiety state, motivation, and motives for career choice) variables that predict the career choice of Swiss medical school students, as well as their interaction, and to examine the evolution of Swiss medical students' career choice and their ultimate career path, including an international comparison with French medical students. The Swiss Medical Career Choice study is a national, multi-institution, and longitudinal study in which all medical students at all medical schools in Switzerland are eligible to participate. Data will be collected over 4 years for 4 cohorts of medical students using questionnaires in years 4 and 6. We will perform a follow-up during postgraduate training year 2 for medical graduates between 2018 and 2022. We will compare the different Swiss medical schools and a French medical school (the University of Strasbourg Faculty of Medicine). We will also examine the effect of new medical master's programs in terms of career choice and location of practice. For aim 2, in collaboration with the Swiss Institute for Medical Education, we will implement a national career choice tracking system and identify the final career choice of 2 cohorts of medical students who graduated from 4 Swiss medical schools from 2010 to 2012. We will also develop a model to predict their final career choice. Data analysis will be conducted using inferential statistics, and machine learning approaches will be used to refine the predictive model. This study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation in January 2023. Recruitment began in May 2023. Data analysis will begin after the completion of the first cohort data collection. Our research will inform national stakeholders and medical schools on the prediction of students' future career choice and on key aspects of physician workforce planning. We will identify targeted actions that may be implemented during medical school and may ultimately influence career choice and encourage the correct number of physicians in the right specialties to fulfill the needs of currently underserved regions. DERR1-10.2196/53138.

Scoping review of medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology.

Although perceived barriers to applying to dermatology have been researched among medical students, there remains a dearth of literature dedicated to understanding perceptions that medical students have of the field of dermatology and dermatologists. A review of the literature in Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were carried out to identify articles and abstracts between 2016 and 2021 relating to medical student perceptions of the field of dermatology. Peer-reviewed English studies measuring attitudes/level of interest in dermatology or other specialities, understanding of dermatologic topics, procedures, and/or scope of practice were included. Duplicate studies and conference abstracts were excluded. All publications were screened using the PRISMA-Sc guidelines. Findings were summarised and tabulated accordingly. A total of nine articles met inclusion criteria and eight are included in this review since one was not accessible online. Notable findings include non-US medical students perceiving dermatology as monotonous, stigmatized, unfamiliar, and difficult to access with a misunderstanding of the diversity and severity of the conditions dermatologists treat. No data on US medical student perceptions was found. Perceptions were found to be influential in career planning: medical students may reject specialities after exposure to negative comments on the field. Factors attracting students to dermatology include the appeal of being a dermatologist, media portrayal, and dermatologists' influence on patients' lives. Completion of dermatology-related activities improved medical student interest, comfort, and understanding of the field. Early dermatology exposure in US undergraduate premedical students led to heightened interest in the field, more confidence in ability to find dermatology mentors, and increased perception that dermatology serves the needs of underserved communities. This review demonstrates the need to further investigate medical student perceptions of dermatology, particularly in the United States. Perceptions of medical specialities can impact medical student career choices. Understanding which misconceptions may be preventing students from exploring dermatology can inform efforts towards improving diversity, equity, and inclusion: translating to an equitable match and improving patient outcomes. Limitations include exclusion of articles published before 2016, geographic variability in studies, and limited data on evolving student perceptions over time.

Factors Associated with Medical Students' Career Choices Regarding Internal Medicine in Uganda.

BackgroundThere is an unmet need for internal medicine physicians in Uganda owing to the growing burden of diseases. This study aimed at evaluating the factors associated with career choices of undergraduate medical students regarding internal medicine in Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the first 3 weeks of October 2021 via WhatsApp messenger. Medical students in the 3rd to 5th year of study who had completed internal medicine clinical rotations and pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at 7 Ugandan universities (4 public and 3 private) were enrolled. Multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to determine factors associated with a career choice in internal medicine.ResultsWe enrolled 418 participants, median age was 24 (interquartile range (IQR): 23–26) years, 67.7% were male, and 36.1% had a family member or relative who was a doctor. Most of the students (84.0%) were interested in research. The top three most preferred specialties were internal medicine (52.6%), surgery (51.2%), and obstetrics and gynaecology (51.0%). Overall, 186 (44.5%) participants reported plans to pursue a Master of Medicine degree in internal medicine. Interest in research was the only factor independently associated with 2.5-fold higher odds of pursuing a career in internal medicine (adjusted odds ratio: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.6, p = 0.003). About 73% of the participants strongly agreed that internal medicine requires wide reading.ConclusionThere is a strong interest to pursue a career in internal medicine among Ugandan medical students. We recommend an increase in training opportunities in Internal Medicine, especially in view of the growing disease burden and increasing population growth.

Comfort With Uncertainty in Medical Students and Their Residency Choice: A Residency Research Network of Texas Study.

Little is known about how comfort with uncertainty (CwU) influences career choice in medical students. The authors of this study examined the correlation between CwU and primary care career choice. In academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, the authors distributed surveys to third-year medical students from eight US medical schools, seven in Texas. The survey tool included two CwU scales and one comfort with ambiguity scale. Other questions covered career plans, family and personal background, and student debt. In the subjects' fourth year of medical school, authors obtained match data from the medical schools and the authors further communicated with the students where indicated. The primary outcome was the composite score of the three scales correlated to career choice, with a focus on primary care and family medicine. Among 642 participants, there was no difference in CwU scores between students who matched into primary care versus specialty fields (3.39 vs 3.37 average of three scales, P=.65, each individual scale NS) or family medicine (FM) vs all other fields (3.39 vs 3.37 average of three scales, P=.81). Other bivariate predictors of FM choice were more similar than different to previous studies, such as osteopathic more likely than allopathic, lower family income, planning to care for underserved populations, and had a primary care role model. Logistic regression found the two biggest predictors of FM were osteopathic training and the importance of educating patients about health promotion and disease prevention. We found no correlation between CwU and medical student career choice for primary care or FM. We discuss confounding factors that may impact results, as well as recommendations for medication education and public policy.

Major Factors Causing Uncertainties in Career Selection Among Medical Students of Gujranwala Medical College

Background: Diverse factors influence the career choice of medical students. This study was carried out to identify career preferences and factors influencing specialty selection among undergraduate medical students of Gujranwala Medical College which has students from multiple cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad to name a few. Hence this study will be valuable for the medical education sector because understanding career uncertainty at Gujranwala Medical College will also provide ways of developing better tools and counseling programs to help medical students throughout Pakistan prepare for their future. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Gujranwala medical college. As the sample size for this study was not too large and the targeted audience had close physical proximity, a structured paper questionnaire was used containing multiple-choice questions, dichotomous questions as well as scaling questions with content ranging from their career preferences after MBBS to assessing possible factors that may have influenced their choice of specialty. All information gathered was on a volunteer basis. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained. The study was approved by the college ethical review committee. A pilot study was done on 20 participants and no discrepancies were found.  Results: Out of 218 students, 85 (36%) were male and 133 (61%) were female. Out of the 85 male students, 74 students were undecided about career preference. Out of the 133 female students, 94 students were undecided about career preference. Regarding factors influencing career choice, year/level of study was proven to have a significant association with career choice (p value-value: 0.001). 2nd Year students reported the highest uncertainty (89%), 4th Year students reported the second-highest uncertainty (85%), 5th Year students reported the lowest uncertainty (51%). Career uncertainty also had a significant association with how often students thought about changing their career (p-value: 0.002). The ones who often or always thought about changing careers reported the highest uncertainty (100%), while the ones who never thought about changing careers reported the lowest uncertainty (57%). Conclusion: Study The study has shown that a significant number of medical students are uncertain about their career intentions. Year of study, gender, and general satisfaction with the medical field was proven to be major factors in causing such uncertainty about career choice after MBBS. Final year students were most certain about career intentions along with those who never thought about changing careers. While results were consistent with several national and international studies, variability in said results across different studies was also noted.

Medical Student Parental Leave Policies at U.S. Medical Schools.

Background: As medical training occurs during prime childbearing years, parental leave policies may affect the career and family choices of medical students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study builds on existing research by quantifying the prevalence of formal policies for parental leave in highly ranked United States Medical Degree granting institutions, and analyzing the characteristics of those policies, with the objective of identifying existing best practices for future policy adopters to consider. Results: Only 14% of the medical schools reviewed had substantive, stand-alone parental leave policies, and the majority of schools had leave of absence policies without mention of parental leave. Discussion: Leveraging the authors' legal and medical expertise, this analysis highlights existing best practices for medical school leadership to consider, as they examine and develop their policies. Best practices utilized by institutions with the most robust parental policies include adopting a formal and public parental policy, providing a parental enrolled academic adjustment option, guaranteeing approval to take and return from leave/academic adjustment, and continuing health care and financial aid benefits. Given the role of childbearing as a factor associated with gender disparities in academic medicine, and potential impact on racial disparities for students of color, medical school leadership should consider implementation of best practice parental policies to promote equity and wellness of their students. In fact, the deficit of robust parental leave policies in most highly ranked schools may contribute to existing gender and racial disparities in violation with antidiscrimination law. Strengthening policies could increase equity in medical education with positive impacts on the patient population.

Surgical career choices of medical students in China: does gender bias play a role?

BackgroundGender bias in career choices has always been a matter of great concern, including in the field of medicine. This study reports on the current situation in this regard in China, including the reasons for Chinese medical students’ willingness to engage in surgical careers; investigates their accounts of gender bias; and analyzes the effect of gender bias on their surgical career choices.MethodsThis study invited medical students from Harbin Medical University to fill out a non-mandatory questionnaire on whether they had witnessed gender bias, their surgical career intentions, and factors influencing their career intentions. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between continuous variables. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to compare the differences between the categorical variables, the Kendall correlation coefficient (tau) was used to assess the correlation between the reasons rankings reported by gender, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted by logit model.ResultsA total of 643 students responded to the questionnaire. Of them, 63.76% expressed a willingness for a surgical career, with “interest” being a key driving factor (73.41%). Almost all respondents (96.27%) answered that there were more male leaders in the surgical departments they had rotated through or had contacted. Only a few respondents reported gender barriers influencing recruitment (32.19%). However, witnessing gender bias (recruitment of male required) was correlated to choice of surgical career (P < 0.05). Females were less willing to pursue a career in surgery if they had witnessed gender barriers in surgical recruitment. Male dominance also correlated to the choice of a surgical career (P < 0.1). Of the respondents, 53.19% believed that surgery was not suitable for females; among female respondents, this number was 56.12%, higher than for male respondents. When females think that the surgical profession is not suitable for them, it reduces the possibility of their pursuing a career in surgery.ConclusionMost medical students were interested in surgical care. Witnessing gender bias decreases females’ willingness to pursue a career in surgery. It is necessary to stimulate medical students’ interest in surgery when formulating strategies to promote surgical career choices, as well as to reduce gender bias in surgery; in this way, females’ surgical careers should be ensured.

The Surgical Skills and Technology Elective Program and Medical Student Career Choice.

The Surgical Skills and Technology Elective Program (SSTEP) is a bootcamp for preclinical medical students that uses simulation learning methodology to provide exposure to procedural specialties and enhance surgical skills. Despite the widespread adoption of similar bootcamps, evidence is lacking regarding their impact on students' decision to pursue surgical/procedural careers. This exploratory analysis consisted of a retrospective, cross-sectional assessment of SSTEP involving a survey examining engagement during clerkship rotations and career decision-making was sent to all SSTEP participants since the program's inception (n=184). In addition, publicly available data through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) were used to compare match data between all SSTEP participants who have participated in the CaRMS match (n=144) and students in corresponding years who did not participate in SSTEP (n=351). Seventy-four SSTEP participants (40.2%) responded to the survey. Of the respondents, the majority agreed or strongly agreed that SSTEP influenced participants to engage in more procedural opportunities during clerkship (73%) and that they felt more confident performing procedural tasks during clerkship because of SSTEP (92%). Fifty percent of participants agreed that their anxiety decreased regarding clinical specialty decision. Thirty percent of participants indicated that SSTEP influenced them to pursue a procedural career. Examination of CaRMS data showed that 42% of SSTEP participants matched into direct-entry procedural specialties compared with 32% of non-SSTEP graduating medical students at our institution (P=0.048). Our analysis supports the utility of preclerkship surgical bootcamps. By providing early exposure to procedural skills, SSTEP promoted engagement with procedural skills during clerkship. Participation in SSTEP influenced student career choice, which may have contributed to the increased match rate into procedural specialties for SSTEP participants.

Have Factors Influencing Female Medical Students' Intention to Pursue a Career in Surgery Changed over the Last 10 Years? A Systematic Review.

In 2012, a systematic review reported on factors influencing female medical students, career intentions for surgery. This current review is a direct follow-up of that article with the aim of assessing whether factors affecting female medical student career choices have changed over the last decade. This review has identified access to research opportunities as a new factor that can be used to promote female medical student and trainee interest in surgery. Other factors have largely remained unchanged over the last 10 years, such as lack of access to leave, part-time work, and same-gender role models.

Medical Student Career Choice: Who Is the Influencer?

While many factors influence medical student career choice, interactions with attending and resident physicians during clinical rotations are particularly important. To evaluate the influence of attending and resident physicians on medical students' career choices, particularly for those pursuing surgical careers, we quantified their respective influence in the context of other known influences. Rising fourth-year medical students and new graduates were given an IRB-exempt, 14-item online survey. Descriptive statistics were performed on the demographic information. Chi-square analysis was used, as were Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney analyses on the Likert responses (α=0.05). Survey response was 24%. Students pursuing general surgery rated residents greater than or equal to attendings on 7 of 8 key mentoring characteristics. Of students choosing a different specialty than the one they intended to pursue upon entering medical school, the influence of residents was cited by 100% of the students pursuing general surgery, compared to 59% of the entire cohort. Identification of a role model and perceived personality fit were significantly more important than other factors (P < 0.0001). Students pursuing general surgery rated the importance of identifying a role model and perceived personality fit greater than their peers. Residents have greater influences on medical students' career choice compared to attendings. Students pursuing a surgical specialty, particularly general surgery, considered the influence of role models and perceived personality fit to be the most important factors in their specialty decision. These findings provide valuable insights to improve student experiences and career recruitment in surgical specialties, particularly general surgery.

Career choice of ivorian medical students at the end of curriculum: influencing factors and aspirations

RésuméObjectifEn Côte d’Ivoire, l’implantation des structures sanitaires pour améliorer l’accessibilité géographique aux soins reste inégale entre milieu rural et urbain. C’est dans ce contexte que l’étudiant en médecine doit se prononcer sur son choix de carrière en tenant également compte de ses préférences personnelles. Le but de notre étude était d’évaluer les aspirations et les facteurs influençant le choix de spécialité des étudiants de la faculté de médecine de l’université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan.MéthodologieLes étudiants en médecine inscrits en 6e année ont rempli un questionnaire anonyme auto-administré. Il s’agissait d’un questionnaire au format papier divisé en 3 parties: critères socio-démographiques; choix de spécialité et facteurs influençant le choix de carrière. Les étudiants étaient invités à évaluer dans quelle mesure ils percevaient chacun des 24 items comme influençant leur choix de carrière au moyen d’une échelle de Likert allant de 1 (aucune influence) à 5 (grande influence). Les facteurs ont été comparés selon le choix de spécialité (médicale ou chirurgicale).RésultatsLes 3 disciplines de spécialité les plus choisies étaient: la cardiologie (17,9 %), la gynéco-obstétrique (15,7 %) et la pédiatrie (9,6 %). Le désir de passer le concours d’internat était plus fréquent chez les étudiants ayant choisi une spécialité chirurgicale (p = 0,02). Le choix d’une spécialité médicale était plus influencé par le désir d’un travail à temps partiel (p = 0,04). Les étudiants ayant choisi une spécialité médicale étaient plus guidés par l’engagement social que ceux ayant choisi une spécialité chirurgicale (p = 0,04). Par contre, ces derniers étaient plus influencés par le prestige auprès des collègues (p = 0,04) et les résultats immédiats après intervention (p = 0,01).ConclusionL’équipement efficient des structures sanitaires pourrait contribuer à une mise en valeur des autres spécialités moins choisies en les rendant plus attractives. Une réorganisation du système avec affectation d’enseignants dans les hôpitaux régionaux avec un minimum d’équipement est indispensable afin de permettre une « décentralisation » du cursus de spécialisation, surtout pour les spécialités chirurgicales.Quant à l’aspiration au travail à temps partiel, elle peut s’expliquer par le besoin de concilier vie familiale et vie professionnelle, mais aussi par un projet parfois inavoué de développer une activité extra-médicale lucrative en vue de compenser une faible rémunération.

Effect of a surgical observership on the perceptions and career choices of preclinical medical students: a mixed-methods study.

Background:Medical students are increasingly choosing nonsurgical specialties; observership programs can address factors influencing them toward surgical careers by allowing preclerkship exposure and mentorship, and correcting misconceptions. The aims of this study were to assess the influence of a peer-led observership program at the Université de Montréal on the career choices of preclinical medical students and to determine the factors associated with a positive observership experience.Methods:We used a quasi-experimental convergent mixed-methods questionnaire design. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 31, 2018, and Mar. 1 to Apr. 4, 2019, all medical students participating in the observership program were eligible for the study; there were no ineligibility criteria. Using a prospective purposive sampling method, we recruited students via the email sent to confirm their observership. In the week after their observership, we invited the students by email to complete a postintervention survey. We used nonparametric tests to evaluate the impact of the observership on participants’ career choices and an inductive data-driven thematic analysis to analyze their responses.Results:Of the 204 students who participated, 157 provided consent, of whom 85 (54.1%) completed questionnaires both before and after the observership. The majority of participants were interested in a surgical specialty before (72 [85%]) and after (68 [84%]) the observership. There was no significant change in the students’ choices of surgical specialties after the observership. However, most (68 [81%]) reported being more interested in a surgical career as a result of the observership, which allowed them to see that the type of practice they considered was congruent with a surgical career. Their perceptions of the field of surgery became positive, particularly regarding its pace and atmosphere and the humanistic patient–doctor relationship it required. The experience was influenced by surgeons’ and teams’ attitudes toward students, knowledge-sharing and quality of exposure. Participants mentioned that their willingness to participate was in part responsible for the success of their experience.Conclusion:This observership program allowed an early, positive introduction of students to surgery while challenging stereotypes. It provided a better understanding of surgery, enabling participants to consider this field and potentially influencing their residency application.

Earning opportunities and informal payment as influencing factors in medical students\u2019 speciality choice

BackgroundThe Hungarian primary care system faces a severe shortage of family physicians. Medical students’ perceptions of family medicine need to be known and medical students need to be given appropriate and comprehensible information about this speciality. The expected future salary is an important factor in career choice. Most of the family doctors are self-employed and the practices have a corrected capitation-type financing. Although the majority of health care services are covered by social health insurance and are provided for the insured patients free of charge, informal payment is an existing phenomenon with different motivations and consequences. This study aimed to investigate medical students’ knowledge about their future earning opportunities and their attitudes towards informal payment.MethodsA cross sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Each of the four Hungarian medical universities were represented by their medical students who attended family medicine lectures in person from December 2019 to April 2020. The students were asked about their career plans, about their estimations of current and ideal expected salaries and about the effect of expected income for the choice of specialisation. Their attitudes towards informal payment were assessed.ResultsResponse rate was 67.3% (N = 465/691). Almost two-thirds of the participants were women. Only 5% of the respondents (N = 23/462) plan to work as a family doctor in the future. The vast majority (91.9%) of the students had already thought about their future income. On a 10-point Likert scale (1 = ‘no influence’, 10 = ‘very big influence’) 76% answered that the expected future income exerts a considerable (≥5 Likert points) influence on their career choice in general. The mean of the ideal expected monthly income of the residents, GPs and other specialists was €1154 ± 648, €1696 ± 904 and €2174 ± 1594, respectively. The mean of the monthly income for a GP, as estimated by the studenst, was €1140 in rural and €1122 in urban settings. More than four-fifths of the students (N = 375/453) rejected the practice of informal payment.ConclusionsExpected salaray is one important aspect in the career choice of medical students, students wish to have more information on this topic. The reported ideal incomes are higher than those expected. This points to a relevant gap. However, most of the students do not accept informal payment as a possibility to close this gap. The expected and the ideal income differ from the real incomes of Hungarian GPs – this indicates the need of bringing objectoive information to the students to enhance attractivity of GP as a carer choice.

EP.TU.4Performance at Medical School predicts success in the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgery (MRCS) examination

Abstract Aims Identifying predictors of success in post-graduate examinations can help guide the career choices of medical students and may aid early identification of trainees requiring extra support to progress in specialty training. We assessed whether performance at medical school as quantified by the Educational Performance Measurement (EPM) and scores from the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) used for selection into Foundation Training predicted success at the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination. Methods We analysed data from the UKMED Database for UK graduates who had attempted MRCS Part A (n = 1,975) and Part B n = 630) between 2013-2017. Univariate analysis examined the relationship between performance and the likelihood of passing MRCS at first-attempt. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of MRCS success. Results For every additional EPM decile point gained the chances of passing MRCS at first attempt increased by 52% for Part A (odds ratio 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-1.60]) and 27% for Part B (1.27 [1.18-1.38]). For every point awarded for additional degrees in the EPM, candidates were 29% more likely to pass MRCS Part A first time (1.29 [1.12-1.48]). SJT score was not a statistically significant independent predictor of MRCS Part A or Part B success after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (P = 0.182 and P = 0.125 respectively). Conclusions This, the first study to investigate the relationship between medical school and success at a high stakes UK postgraduate surgical examination found that medical school performance deciles are the most significant measure of predicting later success in the MRCS.

Does performance at medical school predict success at the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination? A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundIdentifying predictors of success in postgraduate examinations can help guide the career choices of medical students and may aid early identification of trainees requiring extra support to progress in specialty...

Neurological interest and career exploration among black medical students: Perceptions and solutions for the pipeline

PurposeThe goal of this study was to identify factors that influence the selection of Neurology as a career choice for Black medical students. MethodsSurvey data was collected from attendees at a national educational conference and at a large academic medical school. Two proportion z-tests were used to assess responses among students of different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Results199 students participated in the survey. Compared to their Asian and White counterparts, Black students were significantly less likely to choose or consider a career in Neurology. In addition, we found that these students relied more heavily on their pre-clinical experiences to make this determination, citing preference for another specialty, lack of exposure, a preference for a different patient population, and a lack of racial/ethnic diversity as key reasons to not choose a career in Neurology. ConclusionsNeurological disorders are important contributors to morbidity and mortality. It is imperative that the field attract medical students toward careers in Neurology, particularly those students from traditionally and persistently underrepresented backgrounds. Our findings suggest that Black medical students consider Neurology as a specialty choice less frequently than their counterparts do, and this decision may be made prior to training. We conclude that a multifaceted approach is best to improve the racial/ethnic diversity within the neurological workforce, which should include targeted interventions prior to and after matriculation to medical school.

Career orientations of medical students: A Q-methodology study.

In pursuing optimal health care, an adequate medical workforce is crucial. However, many countries are struggling with a misalignment of students' specialty preferences and societal needs regarding the future medical workforce. In order to bridge this gap, it is relevant to gain a better understanding of the medical career choice processes. We explored career orientations among medical students in the Netherlands and their implications for future career choices. We used Q-methodology, a hybrid qualitative-quantitative method, to explore career orientations of medical students. Medical students from two universities in the Netherlands, varying in year of progression of medical school, ranked 62 statements with regard to importance for their future career choice. Participants explained their ranking in an interview and completed a questionnaire regarding demographics. Using by-person factor analysis we identified groups of individuals with similar orientations. Twenty-four students participated in this study, resulting in three distinct orientations towards future careers: a first career orientation that highly values lifelong self-development; a second that values work-life balance, and a third that was more concerned with achievement and recognition of their work. Medical students' career orientations differed in the importance of challenge, work-life balance, and need for recognition. This knowledge can help to design interventions to shift career choices of medical students closer towards future needs in society. Offering career coaching to students that challenges them to explore and prioritise their values, needs and motivations, for example using the materials form this study as a tool, and stimulates them to consider specialties accordingly, could be a promising strategy for guiding students to more long-term satisfying careers.

Preferred career choice of medical students at a medical university in Vietnam

Preferred career choice of medical students at a medical university in Vietnam

Career choice and influential factors among medical students majoring in psychiatry in China

BackgroundThe undergraduate program of psychiatry has been widely established in recent years to improve the education and recruitment of psychiatrists in China. We aim to investigate the career choice of medical students majoring in psychiatry in China and the influential factors.MethodThis multicenter study was conducted in 26 medical schools in China from May to October of 2019. Participants included 4610 medical students majoring in psychiatry and 3857 medical students majoring in clinical medicine. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the influential factors of students’ choices of psychiatry at matriculation and as a career.Results44.08% of psychiatry majored students gave psychiatry as a first choice at matriculation, and 56.67% of them would choose psychiatry as a career, which was in sharp contrast to the proportion of clinical medicine majored students who would choose psychiatry as a career (0.69%). Personal interest (59.61%), suggestions from family members (27.96%), and experiencing mental problems (23.19%) were main reasons for choosing psychiatry major at matriculation. Personal interest (odds ratio [OR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.87–2.40), experiencing a psychiatry clerkship (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.28–3.08), being female (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.30–1.68), experiencing mental problems (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.28–1.56), and suggestions from family members (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.08–1.46) correlated positively with students’ choice of psychiatry as career. Students who lacked psychiatry knowledge (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.29–0.85) or chose psychiatry because of lower admission scores (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.63–0.97) were less likely to choose psychiatry as a career.ConclusionMore than half of psychiatry majored medical school students planned to choose psychiatry as their career, whereas very few students in the clinic medicine major would make this choice. Increasing students’ interest in psychiatry, strengthening psychiatry clerkships, and popularizing psychiatric knowledge are modifiable factors to increase the psychiatry career intention. The extent to which medical students’ attitudes toward psychiatry can be changed through medical school education and greater exposure to psychiatry will need further investigation.