Alison M Ward1, Max Kamien, Derrick G Lopez. 1. Department of General Practice, University of Western Australia, Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. alison.ward@uwa.edu.au
Abstract
AIMS: The overall aim of the study was to identify the factors that best predict medical career choice and practice location. METHOD: A longitudinal, cohort study was conducted. This followed 2 cohorts of students, numbering a total of 229 students, who commenced medical studies at the University of Western Australia in 1984 and 1989. Data concerning the students' sociodemographic backgrounds, admission scores and personality characteristics were collected in Year 1. Regression analyses were performed to identify the student characteristics that best predicted course completion, a choice of general practice 4 years after graduation and a rural location of practice. OUTCOMES: We found that students who had lower university admission scores and who were less outgoing were less likely to complete the course. Students who were male, had a father in medicine and were more creative and abstract in their thinking and more conscientious and rule-bound were more likely to choose a specialist career. A rural background was found to be the most important predictor of both rural general and specialist practice.
AIMS: The overall aim of the study was to identify the factors that best predict medical career choice and practice location. METHOD: A longitudinal, cohort study was conducted. This followed 2 cohorts of students, numbering a total of 229 students, who commenced medical studies at the University of Western Australia in 1984 and 1989. Data concerning the students' sociodemographic backgrounds, admission scores and personality characteristics were collected in Year 1. Regression analyses were performed to identify the student characteristics that best predicted course completion, a choice of general practice 4 years after graduation and a rural location of practice. OUTCOMES: We found that students who had lower university admission scores and who were less outgoing were less likely to complete the course. Students who were male, had a father in medicine and were more creative and abstract in their thinking and more conscientious and rule-bound were more likely to choose a specialist career. A rural background was found to be the most important predictor of both rural general and specialist practice.
Authors: Marwa Mostafa Ahmed; Samar Fares; Asmaa Ahmed Sayed; Inas Talat ElSayed; Saeed S A Soliman Journal: J Prim Care Community Health Date: 2021 Jan-Dec
Authors: Bridget M Maher; Helen Hynes; Catherine Sweeney; Ali S Khashan; Margaret O'Rourke; Kieran Doran; Anne Harris; Siun O' Flynn Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2013-01-31 Impact factor: 2.463