Students' intentions to practice primary care are associated with their motives to become doctors: a longitudinal study

Unveiling empathy determinants across borders: a comparative analysis of medical students from two geo-sociocultural backgrounds

BACKGROUND

Empathy plays a pivotal role in healthcare professions, influencing patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. Understanding the determinants of empathy in medical students is essential. However, findings from previous studies have been inconsistent. We hypothesized that part of this variability may be attributed to the influence of the geo-sociocultural context. In this study, we aimed to compare the longitudinal determinants of empathy in four cohorts of medical students from two distinct geo-sociocultural backgrounds.

METHODS

This study included 199 medical students from Porto Alegre, Brazil and Geneva, Switzerland who were in their 1 st and 4 th years of training and agreed to participate on both occasions. The outcome variable was empathy scores (total and subdimensions) assessed through the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Medical Students (JSE-S). Independent variables included gender, personality, motives for studying medicine, specialty preferences, and the level of motivation for medical studies. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between independent variables and empathy at each site in years 1 and 4.

RESULTS

In year 1, the personality trait openness to experience was associated with higher empathy (total score) in both Porto Alegre (b = 0.503, p ≤ 0.01) and Geneva (b = 0.592, p ≤ 0.001), with this association persisting over time. However, the relationships between empathy and the other independent variables varied significantly depending on the site.

CONCLUSIONS

The determinants of empathy were significantly modulated by the geo-sociocultural context. The personality trait openness to experience was the only consistent determinant of empathy across both sites over time. Associations between empathy and gender, motives for studying medicine, and specialty preferences were site specific. Our findings underscore the importance of considering students' backgrounds when assessing empathy teaching and learning.

[Influence of the subject of Family and Community Medicine taught during the degree in medicine, in the choice of specialty]

OBJECTIVES

The presence of the subject of Family and Community Medicine (FCM) is important in the medical degree and should be taught by family doctors. The aim of the study was to assess whether its inclusion as a discipline in the degree influences students and graduates in their choice of specialty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive, observational and analytical study of surveys carried out on 422 students of the FCM subject who studied during the 2017-18 to 2023-24 academic years at the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Murcia and on 96 graduates of this university who, in the process of choosing a specialty, opted for FCM. In a first phase, the students of each course completed 2 surveys, one on the first day of class and another on the last, both in person. In each survey, 5 questions were asked on a 10-point Likert scale and one multiple-choice question. In the final survey, 4 questions were added, also on a 10-point Likert scale. In the second phase, a seven-question survey with dichotomous answers was sent electronically to the graduates in May 2024.

RESULTS

74% of the students were women, mean age 23.2 years SD=1.6. 290 (68.7%) answered the initial survey and 352 (83.4%) the final one. Most of them thought that FCM is important for the National Health System (NHS) and that it is not well valued by either the NHS or the patients. When asked if they considered the subject important in the degree, 75% of them gave it a score >9. The percentage of students who considered FCM as a future option with an average score >7 was 42% and after taking the subject this percentage increased to 57% (mean score at the beginning 5,9 SD=1,6 and at the end 7,7 SD=2.6, p<0.001). Regarding the academic and teaching staff evaluation, the average score was: interesting subject 7.9 SD=1.8 (44%>9), useful subject 8.57 SD=1.6 (61%>9) and different approach 7.6 SD=2 (78.2%>7). The average evaluation of the teaching staff was >9. 74.2% of the graduates were women, average age 28.4 years SD=2.8. 62 (64%) answered the survey; 66.1% did not know the specialty well before teaching the subject. For 51.6% of them, the subject changed their perception of the specialty, for 48.4% it made them consider the specialty as a future option and for 33.9% it influenced their choice of specialty. 91.9% chose the specialty by their own decision. Almost all of the graduates stated that the subject should be in the medical degree.

CONCLUSIONS

The fact that the subject is taught by family doctors and the quality of teaching has positively influenced the choice of medical science as a specialty by students and graduates. Medical students considered the inclusion of the subject in the degree to be important and felt that medical science, as a specialty, is not well valued. The subject should be included in all medical schools and the teaching should be given by family doctors.

Developing the intention to pursue a general practice career: a longitudinal survey study from medical school graduation into postgraduate medical training

BACKGROUND

Due to a demographic shift, among others, more general practitioners will be needed in Denmark in the future. In this study, we examine Danish medical trainees' intention to pursue a career in general practice as they gain firsthand work experience during postgraduate education. The expanded conceptual framework of medical students' primary care career choice was used in the selection of variables related to the medical trainees' career intentions and work experience and in the interpretation of the results.

METHODS

The study was a prospectively conducted longitudinal cohort study using cross-sectional time-series data. A questionnaire specific to the Danish context was used for data collection among a national cohort of medical trainees before they entered their first postgraduate training year and again after 15-17 months. Data was analyzed descriptively, and the effect of time on the intention to pursue a career in general practice was assessed using mixed models.

RESULTS

Results showed significantly more medical trainees intended to pursue a general practice career at follow-up compared to baseline. Also, the group of medical trainees with that intention included the highest proportion of participants who were parents at follow-up. The intention to pursue a career in general practice was, among others, associated with an interest in regular work hours and the opportunity to work part-time and be self-employed at baseline and follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Applying the conceptual framework to the results suggests that medical trainees already at medical school graduation had gained an authentic and sufficient perception of general practice characteristics and that the shifts in specialty intentions during the follow-up period were driven by changes in personal characteristics.

Public service motivation and career choice intentions of social work students: the roles of altruistic motivation and professional values

The shortage and high turnover of social work professionals in China pose a major challenge to social governance and societal well-being, making it crucial to understand the factors influencing social work students' career choices. Based on a purposive sampling method, between April and June 2023, a sample of 624 social work students was collected from universities in three provinces of China (Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Yunnan). The present study employs the SPSS PROCESS macro to examine the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and career choice intentions, exploring how altruistic motivation and professional values influence the impact of PSM on career decisions. The results indicate that PSM and its dimensions strongly affect social work students' career intentions, with altruistic motivation partially mediating this effect. Professional values positively moderate PSM's impact, strengthening its influence on career choices. These findings provide valuable insights for social work education, guiding career strategies to reduce turnover and support the profession's sustainable development.

Pediatric subspecialty workforce: what is needed to secure its vitality and survival?

IMPACT

The pediatric subspecialty workforce is challenged by shortages and geographic maldistribution of subspecialists. We invited leaders in pediatrics to discuss how the field's vitality and survival can be secured. These leaders presented their own opinions and not the opinion of the society or organization that they are presenting. Early exposure of future trainees to pediatrics and advocacy for improved reimbursement structures, loan repayment, and funded programs for physician scientists will enhance the recruitment and retention of pediatric subspecialists to guarantee advancement of knowledge and the appropriate care of children with chronic and complex diseases.

Investigating the association between resilience and impostor syndrome in undergraduate nursing and medical students: a cross-sectional study

Impostor syndrome is prevalent among undergraduate nursing and medical students. Resilience is the ability to adapt and rebound from challenges, which is crucial for student well-being and academic success. Exploring the connection between impostor syndrome and resilience is essential to support students effectively. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between resilience and impostor syndrome among undergraduate nursing and medical students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. A total of 300 students were recruited using a convenience sample and completed self-reported questionnaires assessing resilience and impostor syndrome between September 2022 and March 2023. Various bias mitigation strategies were employed to ensure data accuracy and reliability, such as anonymous data collection and validated scales. The results indicated that less than half of the participants experienced impostor syndrome. Among nursing students, 41.7% were classified as severe, 37.7% as moderate, and 13.0% as intense impostors. For medical students, 4.6% were mild, 4.6% moderate, 4.5% severe, and 4.5% intense impostors. Mean resilience scores were 24.3 ± 7.15 for nursing students and 25.6 ± 7.22 for medical students. A significant negative correlation was found between resilience and impostor syndrome scores (r = -0.220, P < .001). Regression analysis indicated that resilience significantly predicted impostor syndrome, with higher resilience associated with lower levels of impostor syndrome. These findings highlight the importance of resilience in mitigating impostor syndrome among nursing and medical students. Building resilience through interventions may be beneficial in promoting student well-being and academic success. Future research should explore the effectiveness of such interventions and identify other factors contributing to impostor syndrome among healthcare students.

Eyesi direct ophthalmoscope simulator: an effective training tool for medical undergraduates

INTRODUCTION

Non-ophthalmologists often lack sufficient operational training to use a direct ophthalmoscope proficiently, resulting in a global deficit of basic ophthalmological skills among general practitioners. This deficiency hampers the timely diagnosis, referral, and intervention of patients. Consequently, the optimization of teaching tools and methods to enhance teaching efficiency is imperative. This study explores the effectiveness of the Eyesi Direct Ophthalmoscope Simulator (Eyesi) as an innovative tool for fundus examination training.

METHODS

Medical undergraduates were randomly assigned to Group A or B (n = 168). All participants completed a pre-training questionnaire. Group A received Eyesi training, while Group B underwent traditional direct ophthalmoscope (TDO) training. Subsequently, participants answered questionnaires relevant to their respective training methods. Both groups exchanged training tools and completed a summary questionnaire.

RESULTS

After training, 54.17% of participants believed that images presented by the Eyesi were consistent with the real fundus. Group A scored significantly higher than Group B in fundus structure recognition and self-confidence in examination. The degree of mastery over fundus theory score increased from 6.10 ± 0.13 to 7.74 ± 0.16 (P < 0.001) in Group A, but Group B did not demonstrate a significant difference. We also compared undergraduates' tendencies for different learning purposes, 75.59% of participants preferred the Eyesi to TDO as a training tool, and 88.41% of participants were receptive to introducing the Eyesi in training.

CONCLUSION

According to subjective participant feedback, Eyesi outperformed TDO in fundus observation, operational practice, and theoretical learning. It effectively equips undergraduates with fundus examination skills, potentially promoting the use of direct ophthalmoscopes in primary medical institutions.

Dynamics of Students' Career Choice: a Conceptual Framework-Based Qualitative Analysis Focusing on Primary Care

BACKGROUND

Increasing primary care's attractiveness as a career choice is an important task of socially accountable medical schools. Research has broadly studied influences on medical students' career choice. However, a deeper understanding of the processes behind career decision-making could support medical schools in their efforts to promote primary care careers.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the dynamics of career choice during medical school with a focus on primary care, based on a previously developed conceptual framework.

APPROACH

Qualitative study using a phenomenological, inductive-deductive approach DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual interviews were conducted from May 2019 to January 2020 with 14 first-year postgraduate trainee physicians, graduates of the Faculty of Medicine in Geneva, Switzerland, purposively sampled based on their interest in primary care during undergraduate studies. The interview guide was developed to elicit narratives about career-related decision-making. Two authors coded the transcripts. Thematic analysis alternated with data collection until thematic saturation was reached. Emerging themes were discussed and refined within the research team.

KEY RESULTS

Two main themes emerged: (1) developing professional identity, expressed as a changing professional image from unprecise and idealistic to concrete and realistic; priorities changed from content-based to lifestyle-based preferences; (2) individual trajectories of career-related decision-making, determined by different stages of refining professional interests; students navigated this process by employing various strategies, ranging from active exploration to passive behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's narrative approach illustrates the dynamic nature of career choice and refines elements of a conceptual framework previously developed by the authors. Its findings underline the importance of exploration, for which personal experiences and observations of physicians' work are crucial. To advance efforts to make primary care a more attractive career, students must be sufficiently exposed to primary care in a safe and individualized environment and should be supported in all stages of their career choice process.

Prevalence of Career Indecision and Factors Influencing It Among Medical Students and Interns in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Career indecision is a broad term that refers to the uncertainty and difficulty of decision-making regarding future careers among junior professionals. This study aims primarily to estimate the prevalence of career indecisiveness among senior medical students and medical interns in Oman. Secondly, it assesses the association of sociodemographic factors influencing it. Finally, it examines the association between participation in career development activities and career indecision among them during the academic year of 2022-2023.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire in the English language. Unpaired t-test and ANOVA test were used to compare means between groups. A 21-item Career Factors Inventory (CFI) was used to determine the career indecision score. These scores were further classified as low-level (score 27-71) and high-level (score 72-105).  Results: The total number of participants was 161. The minimum sample size calculated was 153 participants for 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of high-level career indecision was 63.4% (95%CI 55.4%-70.8%) among the participants. Participants with one of their parents in healthcare professions and those who did not participate in career development activities had high career indecision scores with P-values of 0.002 and 0.022, respectively. Moreover, participants younger than 25 years of age in comparison to older participants had higher need-for-self-knowledge (NSK) scores (p-value 0.018).

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of high-level career indecision was seen among senior medical students and medical interns in Oman. Few factors were found to be statistically associated with career indecision, especially participation in career development activities. Further studies are recommended to investigate the causality of high-level career indecision among junior professionals in Oman and the contributing factors. Curricular and extra-curricular career development activities and counseling may reduce career indecision.

Changes in the attractiveness of medical careers and career determinants during the bachelor's program at Zurich medical schools

BACKGROUND

Monitoring the career intentions of medical students during their undergraduate studies could help to address the shortage of physicians, particularly in general practice. This study aimed to investigate changes in medical students' career openness, attractiveness and determinants of medical career choice during their bachelor's studies.

METHODS

The design was cross-sectional, recruiting all medical students who started a bachelor's program in one of the four different educational tracks in Zurich, Switzerland, in the fall of 2019 (first survey) and completed it in the summer of 2022 (second survey). Students' perceptions of the attractiveness and determinants of different medical career options were assessed using a structured online questionnaire. Absolute changes between the two-time points were reported in percentage points overall and by educational track. Regression analysis was used to examine the association of student characteristics and determinants of career options with the attractiveness of each option.

RESULTS

We surveyed 354 medical students at the beginning and 433 at the end of the bachelor's program (participation rate: 71.1% and 86.9%, respectively). Overall, the proportion of students open to all proposed medical career options decreased (from 52.8% to 43.8%, p = 0.004). The attractiveness of outpatient gynecology or pediatrics increased (from 27.4% to 43.4%, p < 0.001), whereas the attractiveness of both general and specialized inpatient care decreased (from 47.8% to 40.3%, p = 0.05 and from 71.1% to 61.1%, p = 0.006 respectively). There was an increase in the proportion of students who perceived part-time work, autonomy and relationships with patients as important career determinants (from 47.3% to 64.7%, p < 0.001; from 63.3% to 77.8%, p < 0.001; from 80.8% to 89.3%, p = 0.002 respectively), while the importance of reputation and career opportunities decreased (from 42.6% to 26.2%, p < 0.001; from 79.2% to 63.6%, p < 0.001 respectively). The importance of part-time work and relationships with patients were positively associated with the attractiveness of general practice.

CONCLUSIONS

During the bachelor's program, the attractiveness of a career in general practice tended to decrease, but the importance of part-time work, autonomy and relationships with patients as career determinants increased. Helping students understand how these determinants relate to general practice may increase their interest in the profession.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Attitudes towards career choice and general practice: a cross-sectional survey of medical students and residents in Tyrol, Austria

BACKGROUND

The global primary healthcare workforce is declining, leading to a shortage of general practitioners. Although various educational models aim to increase interest in general practice, effective interventions are limited. The reasons for this low appeal among medical graduates remain unclear.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study surveyed medical students' and residents' attitudes towards general practice in Tyrol, Austria. The online questionnaire addressed professional values, general practice-related issues, personal professional intentions, and demographics. Data analysis employed chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to explore predictors of interest in general practice.

RESULTS

The study included 528 students and 103 residents. Key values identified were stable positions, assured income, and work-family reconciliation. General practice was recognised for long-term patient relationships and patient contact, with students attributing more positive work-environmental characteristics and higher reputation to it than residents. Few participants (students: 3.2%, residents: 11.7%) had opted for general practice; about half were considering it as career option. Reasons not to choose general practice were preferences for other specialties, intrinsic characteristics of general practice, workload, insufficient time for the patients, financial pressures, low reputation, and perceived mediocre training quality. Predictors of interest in general practice included perception of independent decision-making, importance of work-family balance (students), better practical experiences in general practice during medical school (students and residents), younger age, and perceiving general practice as offering a promising future (residents). Both groups felt underprepared by medical school and/or general practice training for general practice roles. The attractiveness of specialist medicine over general practice was related to clearer content boundaries, better career opportunities, and higher incomes.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results, measures to improve attractiveness of general practice should focus on (i) high-quality undergraduate education including practical experiences, and (ii) on ensuring professional autonomy, work-family reconciliation, and job stability. Efforts to encourage more graduates to pursue this essential healthcare sector are crucial for strengthening primary healthcare and public health services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study has not been registered as it did not include a direct medical intervention on human participants.

The trajectory and transition pattern of intention to practice medicine among medical students in China

There has been a growing concern about the career intentions (whether medical students have the intention to practice medicine) due to the increasingly serious problem of medical students attrition. Career intentions have the potential to promote medical students' career commitment and encourage them to stay in the medical profession. Moreover, a series of dynamic career intentions during medical education can be served as an early guide to the medical students' future career choices (whether medical students finally choose to practice medicine). However, few studies focus on the dynamics of career intentions among medical students. In this study, we utilized data from a large-scale national survey of medical students conducted in China from 2020 to 2022 to curve the trajectory of the intention to practice medicine among medical students during their undergraduate medical education by using multilevel growth model. Furthermore, we applied latent Markov model to estimate the transition matrix of the intention across each academic year during the undergraduate medical education. Our findings revealed a trajectory curve with a peak during the second year in the intention to practice medicine. In addition, we identified three latent states of career intention including "strong intention", "wavering" and "weak intention", and further found two distinct transition patterns between individuals with strong career intentions and those without strong career intentions. The transition patterns play a crucial role in understanding the changes in the trajectory of medical students' intentions and determining the optimal timing for interventions to prevent medical student attrition. Our study offers a comprehensive understanding for the dynamics of the career intention among medical students, which has practical implications for medical educators and institutions to address the issues of medical student attrition.

Would you like to be a general practitioner? Baseline findings of a longitudinal survey among Danish medical trainees

BACKGROUND

Recruiting and securing primary care physician workforce has been the center of international attention for decades. In Denmark, the number of general practitioners has decreased by 8.5% since 2013. However, a rising population age and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity place an even greater future need for general practitioners in Denmark. The choice of general practice as specialty has been associated with a range of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, however, few studies have examined the recruitment potential that lies within medical trainees' who are undecided about general practice specialization. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore how medical trainees who are undecided about general practice specialization (GP-positive/undecided) differ from medical trainees who are either committed (GP-committed) or not committed to a general practice career (GP-non-committed) regarding factors related to future work life.

METHODS

The present study concerns baseline findings from a longitudinal survey study. An online questionnaire was e-mailed to a national cohort of medical trainees during their transition from under- to postgraduate education. The associations between orientations towards general practice specialization and work-related factors and potential influencing factors, respectively, were analyzed using uni- and multivariable modified Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Of 1,188 invited participants, 461 filled out key study variables concerning specialty preferences and rejections, corresponding to a response rate of 38.8%. We found significant positive associations between GP-positive/undecided orientation and valuing a good work/life balance and the opportunity to organize own working hours when compared to GP-non-committed respondents. Compared to the GP-committed orientations, the GP-positive/undecided orientation was associated with a positive attitude towards technology, working shift hours, and an openness towards several career paths. Across all orientations, undergraduate exposure to the specialties was found to be highly influential on the specialty preferences.

CONCLUSION

GP-positive/undecided medical trainees value autonomy over their working hours more than the GP-non-committed, but less than the GP-committed. However, the GP-positive/undecided respondents present more openness to different career opportunities and the use of technology in daily work. We suggest using this knowledge in the planning of recruitment strategies aiming to increase interest in general practice specialization.

Medical trainees' speciality considerations at their transition from under- to postgraduate education: a descriptive, cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This paper aims to provide knowledge on medical trainees' considerations about specialisation as they move from undergraduate to postgraduate medical education; especially their interest in general practice compared to other specialities.

METHOD

We developed and content-validated a questionnaire to examine medical trainees' speciality considerations and conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study. All medical trainees initiating their internship in Denmark in 2022 (N = 1,188) were invited to participate in the study. Medical specialities were categorised as hospital service specialities, internal medicine specialities, primary care, psychiatry specialities and surgery and emergency specialities. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort and examine the participants' speciality considerations by assigning them to one of the following three orientations: committed, undecided or non-committed to a speciality.

RESULTS

The response rate was 38.8% (n = 461), and participants' mean age was 27.4 years with a majority of females (68.1%). Nearly 25% of the participants had general practice as speciality preference, and only 13.9% had excluded general practice for future specialisation. Overall, around half of the participants had general practice as a first, second or third preference for specialisation.

CONCLUSION

Danish medical trainees show considerable interest in general practice at the time of their transition from undergraduate to postgraduate education. However, to meet future demands on the primary care, further recruitment of general practitioners is still needed. This knowledge of the specialities' recruitment potential will likely be of interest to medical educators and healthcare planners alike.

Building Interest in the Primary Care Specialty Through Enhanced Global Health Experience

Background An overwhelming majority of matriculating medical students in the USA are keen to deliver quality health care to all people, including the socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in remote, resource-scarce regions nationally and worldwide. Here, we describe a protocol developed to evaluate the interest of our medical students in global health activities. We also examined the relationship between students' interest in global health and readiness to pursue a future career in the primary care specialty. Materials and methods We designed a survey in Qualtrics online software and reached all first-year and third-year medical students between 2019 and 2022 enrolled at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). The survey utilized ordinal scale items to explore the medical students' interest in primary care residency programs, their interest in global health and international travel, and their perceptions of how a range of factors might motivate their desire to participate in global health activities. The study was approved by ACOM's Institutional Review Board (IRB). In order to compare findings from this study with data from other medical schools, we developed constructs using the national aggregate data, in percentages, from matriculants and graduates of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree-granting medical schools according to gender, published by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). Statistical analysis of national aggregate data was performed using the unpaired t-test. Results Both female and male participants had lived or traveled abroad before starting medical school. Female (98%, n=249) and male (95%, n=140) participants in the first-year cohorts considered helping the underserved population as important or very important as it is related to a career in medicine. Females in the third-year cohorts (97%, n=71) also ranked this statement as important or very important compared to male cohorts (89%, n=31). A higher proportion of females (43%, n=108) compared to males (35%, n=52) in first-year cohorts agreed or strongly agreed that they would likely pursue a residency in primary care. More females (59%, n=43) than males (46%, n=16) in the third-year cohorts agreed or strongly agreed with the same statement. Analysis of the aggregate national data (2009-2022) revealed that the percentage (actual count not available) of female students who planned to practice in underserved/shortage area was higher both at the time of matriculation (M=51%, SD=4%) and before graduation (M=40%, SD=4%) compared to males (matriculation: M=40%, SD=5%; graduation: M=33%, SD=4%) presenting a significant difference (matriculation t(24)=6.7, p<0.0001; graduation t(24)=5.4, p<0.0001). Furthermore, a higher percentage of females at the time of matriculation (M=25%, SD=5%) and graduation (M=40%, SD=6%) planned to practice in the primary care specialties compared to males (matriculation: M=17%, SD=4%; graduation: M=29%, SD=6%) presenting a significant difference (matriculation: t(24)=4.6, p = 0.0001; graduation: t(24)=4.8, p<0.0001). Conclusions Interest in global health activities may be associated with interest in pursuing a future career in the primary care specialty. In this study, more female medical students expressed interest in participating in global health experiences, serving the underserved population domestically and abroad, and expressing interest in primary care than males.

Dynamics of career intentions in a medical student cohort: a four-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Medical students' career intentions often change between matriculation and graduation, yet little is known about the precise timing and dynamics of individual students' career decisions. This study expands on previous research by exploring the stability of individual students' career intentions over four years and by analyzing associations between unstable career intentions and students' characteristics.

METHODS

Medical students from two classes were recruited into a cohort during their first academic year and completed a yearly survey over a four-year period (end of pre-clinical curriculum to graduation). Measures included career intention (specialty and practice type), personality, coping strategies, empathy, and motives for becoming a physician. The authors developed a score ranging from 0 to 10 quantifying instability of career intentions (0 = stable; 10 = unstable). The distribution of the score was analyzed descriptively, and the association between the score and other variables was quantified using a stepwise beta regression model.

RESULTS

The sample included 262 students (61% females). The mean score was 3.07 with a median of 3. 18% of students (N = 46) did not change their specialty intention over the four years, whereas 10% (N = 26) changed every year. No further subgroups were identified between these extremes. An intention to work in private practice in year 3 and the motive care for patients were significantly associated with more stable career intentions.

CONCLUSION

Most students are situated on a continuum between the two extremes of being firmly committed and undecided. Extrinsic factors may be more important drivers of these fluctuations than personal characteristics and should be explored in future research. This study's findings also provide avenues for supporting students in their career decision-making.

The formation of physician altruism

We study how patient-regarding altruism is formed by medical education. We elicit and structurally estimate altruistic preferences using experimental data from a large sample of medical students (N = 733) in Germany at different progress stages in their studies. The estimates reveal substantial heterogeneity in altruistic preferences of medical students. Patient-regarding altruism is highest for freshmen, significantly declines for students in the course of medical studies, and tends to increase again for last year students, who assist in clinical practice. Also, patient-regarding altruism is higher for females and positively associated to general altruism. Altruistic medical students have gained prior practical experience in healthcare, have lower income expectations, and are more likely to choose surgery and pediatrics as their preferred specialty.

Millennials Medical Students Generation at the Crosswalks: Motivations and Attitudes Towards Study and Future Career - A Mixed-Method Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate in the millennium medical student generation the influence of the curriculum (problem-based curriculum [PBC] vs science-based curriculum [SBC]), gender and semester level on medical students' motives to study medicine, their attitudes toward their career and in this regard their view about their study condition in university.

METHODS

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 28 medical students were performed and analyzed using Mayring's content analysis. Based on these results, a quantitative questionnaire for a nationwide survey was developed using a mixed-method-approach and send to most medical faculties in Germany. Data from n=1053 students entered statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Humanistic ideals prevailed in the choice to enter medical school and to become a physician. PBC students were found to be significantly (p<0.001) more idealistic and patient oriented, and they regard their curriculum more competitive than SBC-students (p<0.001). A balanced work and family life is essential for all students but particularly important for the PBC - group, male and undergraduate students. The majority of students wanted to work with patients and omitted patient-distant line of work. Undergraduate SBC-students saw their studies as old-fashioned citing lack of patient contact (p<0.001 compared to PBC), which eased in the graduate study part.

CONCLUSION

This study found major differences in student's perceptions depending on curriculum type. PBC-students were more idealistic, and humanistic ideals prevailed in comparison to SBC. For both, close patient contact is essential in their training. Particularly for female students, lifestyle factors and a balanced work-life-integration outweigh career ambitiousness. This study offers an important insight to policy makers and educators to understand the motivation and perceptions of the millennial student generation regarding their studies and future career plans, which should be considered in educational policies.