Joseph A Gil1, Gregory R Waryasz1, Dorothy Liu2, Alan H Daniels1. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI. 2. Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine if medical student debt has an effect on medical student specialty choice. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to students at 12 medical schools across the United States to assess the effect of debt on specialty choice. RESULTS: In total, 415 students responded to the survey; 98 medical students reported that they were pursuing a primary care residency (PCR) and 250 reported that they were pursing a non-primary care residency (NPCR). There was no significant difference in average student loan debt anticipated by medical students pursing PCR and NPCR ($142,217 vs $150,784; P>0.46). Medical students pursuing a PCR reported lower estimated salaries on average than medical students pursuing NPCR ($137,711 vs $241,804; p<0.01). Of the surveyed students, 62% of students who are pursuing PCR and 77% of the students who are pursuing a NPCR would not have pursued medicine as a career if residents were responsible for paying tuition. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant difference between the student debt of medical students pursuing PCR compared to those who are pursuing a NPCR. However, a large majority of medical students would not pursue a career in medicine if faced with the responsibility of paying tuition for residency. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-07.asp, free with no login].
PURPOSE: To determine if medical student debt has an effect on medical student specialty choice. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to students at 12 medical schools across the United States to assess the effect of debt on specialty choice. RESULTS: In total, 415 students responded to the survey; 98 medical students reported that they were pursuing a primary care residency (PCR) and 250 reported that they were pursing a non-primary care residency (NPCR). There was no significant difference in average student loan debt anticipated by medical students pursing PCR and NPCR ($142,217 vs $150,784; P>0.46). Medical students pursuing a PCR reported lower estimated salaries on average than medical students pursuing NPCR ($137,711 vs $241,804; p<0.01). Of the surveyed students, 62% of students who are pursuing PCR and 77% of the students who are pursuing a NPCR would not have pursued medicine as a career if residents were responsible for paying tuition. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant difference between the student debt of medical students pursuing PCR compared to those who are pursuing a NPCR. However, a large majority of medical students would not pursue a career in medicine if faced with the responsibility of paying tuition for residency. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-07.asp, free with no login].
Keywords:
careers; medical student debt; primary care salaries; residency tuition