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Zvrko E, Popović N, Radunović M, Nikolić G. Motivational Factors Influencing the Choice of Medical Studies and Future Career Plans among Montenegrin Students. Zdr Varst 2024; 63:132-141. [PMID: 38881636 PMCID: PMC11178028 DOI: 10.2478/sjph-2024-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is a concerning trend of emigration among highly educated individuals in Montenegro. This includes medical professionals who seek better job opportunities abroad. The aim of the present study was to identify the primary motivational factors driving Montenegrin medical students to pursue a career in medicine, and whether these factors undergo changes over the course of their studies. Methods A cross-sectional study included 210 medical students in Montenegro, 27.62% were males, and 72.38% were females. The mean age of the students was 21.90 years (SD=3.05) (range 19-39). Their academic motivation was analysed using the Academic Motivation Scale, previously validated in various cultural contexts. Results The results showed that autonomous motivation levels were higher than controlled motivation levels (p<0.001) among students in Montenegro, which has been previously associated with better learning outcomes. Students with medical doctors among their family members had higher extrinsic motivation related to rewards and punishments (extrinsic motivation with external regulation p=0.018). Amotivation showed a trend of increasing as the students got closer to graduation (p=0.057). Only 8.1% of students planned a career in primary healthcare, and 1% wished to specialize in family medicine. Conclusions This study's findings, which indicate high levels of autonomous motivation among medical students, are of significant importance. They contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the motivation factors among medical students and young healthcare professionals in Montenegro. Moreover, they provide a basis for the implementation of strategic interventions to retain highly skilled medical professionals within the country's workforce, thereby addressing the concerning trend of emigration among this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvir Zvrko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center of Montenegro, Ljubljanska bb, 81000Podgorica, Montenegro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Kruševac bb, 81000Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Nataša Popović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Kruševac bb, 81000Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Miodrag Radunović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Kruševac bb, 81000Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Goran Nikolić
- Montenegrin Academy of Science and Arts, Rista Stijovića 5, 81000Podgorica, Montenegro
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Chew SH, Ibrahim I, Yong YZ, Shi LM, Zheng QS, Samarasekera DD, Ooi SBS. Factors influencing the decision to pursue emergency medicine as a career among medical students in Singapore. Singapore Med J 2018; 59:126-132. [PMID: 29568841 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The introduction of the residency programme in Singapore allows medical students to apply for residency in their graduating year. Our study aimed to determine the interest levels and motivating factors for pursuing emergency medicine (EM) as a career among medical students in Singapore. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to Year 1-5 medical students in 2012. Participants indicated their interest in pursuing EM as a career and the degree to which a series of variables influenced their choices. Influencing factors were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 800 completed questionnaires were collected. 21.0% of the participants expressed interest in pursuing EM. Perceived personality fit and having done an elective in EM were strongly positive influencing factors. Junior medical students were more likely to cite the wide diversity of medical conditions and the lack of a long-term doctor-patient relationship to be negative factors, while senior medical students were more likely to cite personality fit and perceived prestige of EM as negative factors. CONCLUSION Careful selection of EM applicants is important to the future development of EM in Singapore. Our study showed that personality fit might be the most important influencing factor in choosing EM as a career. Therefore, greater effort should be made to help medical students explore their interest in and suitability for a particular specialty. These include giving medical students earlier exposure to EM, encouraging participation in student interest groups and using appropriate personality tests for career guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Hao Chew
- Department of Anaesthesia, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Irwani Ibrahim
- Emergency Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Yan Zhen Yong
- Department of Family Medicine, National Healthcare Group, Singapore
| | - Lu Ming Shi
- Epidemiology, Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Qi Shi Zheng
- Epidemiology, Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Dujeepa D Samarasekera
- Centre for Medical Education (CenMED), NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Goel S, Angeli F, Dhirar N, Singla N, Ruwaard D. What motivates medical students to select medical studies: a systematic literature review. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2018; 18:16. [PMID: 29343262 PMCID: PMC5772649 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-018-1123-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a significant shortage of health workers across and within countries. It is of utmost importance to determine the factors that motivate students to opt for medical studies. The objective of this study is to group and review all the studies that investigated the motivational factors that underpin students' selection of medical study in recent years. METHODS The literature search was carried out by two researchers independently in PubMed, Google Scholar, Wiley and IndMED databases for articles published from year 2006 till 2016. A total of 38 combinations of MeSH words were used for search purpose. Studies related to medical students and interns have been included. The application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic review led to the final selection of 24 articles. RESULTS The majority of the studies (n = 16; 66.6%) were from high-income countries followed by an equal number from upper-middle and lower-middle income countries (n = 4,16.7%). None of the studies were from low-income countries. All of the studies were cross-sectional in nature. The main motivating factors that emerged were scientific (interest in science / medicine, social interest and academia, flexible work hours and work independence), societal (prestige, job security, financial security) and humanitarian (serving the poor and under priviledged) in high-, upper-middle and lower-middle income countries, respectively. The findings were comparable to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory of motivation. CONCLUSION This systematic review identifies the motivational factors influencing students to join medical studies in different parts of the globe. These factors vary per country depending on the level of income. This study offers cues to policy makers and educators to formulate policy in order to tackle the shortage of health workers, i.e. medical doctors. However, more research is needed to translate health policy into concrete and effective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu Goel
- School of Public Health, PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, 160012 India
| | - Federica Angeli
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Organization Studies, School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Nonita Dhirar
- School of Public Health, PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, 160012 India
| | - Neetu Singla
- School of Public Health, PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, 160012 India
| | - Dirk Ruwaard
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Goel S, Angeli F, Singla N, Ruwaard D. Development and Validation of the Motivations for Selection of Medical Study (MSMS) Questionnaire in India. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164581. [PMID: 27997928 PMCID: PMC5173381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Understanding medical students’ motivation to select medical studies is particularly salient to inform practice and policymaking in countries—such as India—where shortage of medical personnel poses crucial and chronical challenges to healthcare systems. This study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the motivation of medical students to select medical studies. Methods A Motivation for Selection of Medical Study (MSMS) questionnaire was developed using extensive literature review followed by Delphi technique. The scale consisted of 12 items, 5 measuring intrinsic dimensions of motivations and 7 measuring extrinsic dimensions. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), validity, reliability and data quality checks were conducted on a sample of 636 medical students from six medical colleges of three North Indian states. Results The MSMS questionnaire consisted of 3 factors (subscales) and 8 items. The three principal factors that emerged after EFA were the scientific factor (e.g. research opportunities and the ability to use new cutting edge technologies), the societal factor (e.g. job security) and the humanitarian factor (e.g. desire to help others). The CFA conducted showed goodness-of-fit indices supporting the 3-factor model. Conclusion The three extracted factors cut across the traditional dichotomy between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and uncover a novel three-faceted motivation construct based on scientific factors, societal expectations and humanitarian needs. This validated instrument can be used to evaluate the motivational factors of medical students to choose medical study in India and similar settings and constitutes a powerful tool for policymakers to design measures able to increase selection of medical curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu Goel
- School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Federica Angeli
- Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Neetu Singla
- School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Dirk Ruwaard
- Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Chiu YL, Liang JC, Hou CY, Tsai CC. Exploring the relationships between epistemic beliefs about medicine and approaches to learning medicine: a structural equation modeling analysis. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2016; 16:181. [PMID: 27431001 PMCID: PMC4950227 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-016-0707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Students' epistemic beliefs may vary in different domains; therefore, it may be beneficial for medical educators to better understand medical students' epistemic beliefs regarding medicine. Understanding how medical students are aware of medical knowledge and how they learn medicine is a critical issue of medical education. The main purposes of this study were to investigate medical students' epistemic beliefs relating to medical knowledge, and to examine their relationships with students' approaches to learning medicine. METHODS A total of 340 undergraduate medical students from 9 medical colleges in Taiwan were surveyed with the Medical-Specific Epistemic Beliefs (MSEB) questionnaire (i.e., multi-source, uncertainty, development, justification) and the Approach to Learning Medicine (ALM) questionnaire (i.e., surface motive, surface strategy, deep motive, and deep strategy). By employing the structural equation modeling technique, the confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis were conducted to validate the questionnaires and explore the structural relations between these two constructs. RESULTS It was indicated that medical students with multi-source beliefs who were suspicious of medical knowledge transmitted from authorities were less likely to possess a surface motive and deep strategies. Students with beliefs regarding uncertain medical knowledge tended to utilize flexible approaches, that is, they were inclined to possess a surface motive but adopt deep strategies. Students with beliefs relating to justifying medical knowledge were more likely to have mixed motives (both surface and deep motives) and mixed strategies (both surface and deep strategies). However, epistemic beliefs regarding development did not have significant relations with approaches to learning. CONCLUSIONS Unexpectedly, it was found that medical students with sophisticated epistemic beliefs (e.g., suspecting knowledge from medical experts) did not necessarily engage in deep approaches to learning medicine. Instead of a deep approach, medical students with sophisticated epistemic beliefs in uncertain and justifying medical knowledge intended to employ a flexible approach and a mixed approach, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Lin Chiu
- />Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, #43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106 Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Chong Liang
- />Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, #43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106 Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yen Hou
- />Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, #43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106 Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chung Tsai
- />Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, #43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106 Taiwan
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Gąsiorowski J, Rudowicz E, Safranow K. Motivation towards medical career choice and future career plans of Polish medical students. ADVANCES IN HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION : THEORY AND PRACTICE 2015; 20:709-25. [PMID: 25352498 PMCID: PMC4495256 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-014-9560-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This longitudinal study aimed at investigating Polish medical students' career choice motivation, factors influencing specialty choices, professional plans and expectations. The same cohort of students responded to the same questionnaire, at the end of Year 1 and Year 6. The Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression were used in analyses. The results showed that altruistic and scientific reasons were the main motives for choosing a medical career. The motives remained stable over time. The effect of gender on altruistic motivation was stronger at the end of the study, with females' rating higher. The most favored career paths were associated with non-primary care specializations and work in a hospital. Results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that primary care specializations were more attractive to females, final year students, those from small agglomerations, and those less concerned about high earnings. Preferences regarding sector of work were formed at later stages of training. A preference shift was observed, between Year 1 and Year 6, towards favoring work in the public sector. Predictors of the desire to work in the public sector were: being a male and the final year student, paying less attention to high earnings, wanting certainty of finding work, having a stronger need for interesting and socially important work. A significant decline in the level of interest in seeking employment abroad was observed with the progress of studies. Our findings are likely to provide useful information for educators, policy planners and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Gąsiorowski
- Medical Education Unit, Pomeranian Medical University, ul. Grudziądzka 31, 70-103, Szczecin, Poland,
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Chung YC, Lin CY, Huang CN, Yang JH. Perceptions on gender awareness and considerations in career choices of medical students in a medical school in Taiwan. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2013; 29:629-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2013.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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