Sumera Ali1, Hunter D Vines2, Shelly Y Lensing3, Roopa Ram4, Di Chang3, Linda A Deloney4, Philip J Kenney4. 1. Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205. Electronic address: Sali@uams.edu. 2. College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. 3. Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. 4. Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze the significance of specific factors in choosing radiology as a specialty compared to switching to/from a different specialty as reported in the Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) and Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) data provided by Association of American Medical Colleges. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study cohort included students who completed both the MSQ and GQ questionnaires in the span of 3-5 years. The cohort was divided into three groups-"Committed" (students who chose radiology in both the first and final year of medical school), "Switched Away" (students who chose radiology on the MSQ but later switched to a different specialty, and "Switched-To" (students who chose radiology on GQ after initially selecting an alternate specialty on the MSQ). RESULTS: Of 1965 students who chose radiology between the years 2013 and 2016, 281 were Committed, 625 Switched-Away, and 1059 Switched-To. There were significant differences among the groups for salary, length of residency, and work-life balance factors. In the Switched-Away group, more students were influenced by length of residency (18% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and fewer were influenced by salary (21% vs. 30%, p=0.004) or work-life balance (54% vs. 66%, p = 0.001) when compared to the Committed group. The Switched-To group did not significantly differ from the Committed group (all p > 0.05) for length of residency (6% vs. 5%), salary (30% vs. 30%) and work-life balance (69% vs. 66%). CONCLUSION: The data provide insight into factors that influence medical students to initially commit to, switch away from, and switch to radiology during medical school. Understanding these dynamics can inform mentors to guide medical students who are interested in a radiology career.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze the significance of specific factors in choosing radiology as a specialty compared to switching to/from a different specialty as reported in the Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) and Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) data provided by Association of American Medical Colleges. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study cohort included students who completed both the MSQ and GQ questionnaires in the span of 3-5 years. The cohort was divided into three groups-"Committed" (students who chose radiology in both the first and final year of medical school), "Switched Away" (students who chose radiology on the MSQ but later switched to a different specialty, and "Switched-To" (students who chose radiology on GQ after initially selecting an alternate specialty on the MSQ). RESULTS: Of 1965 students who chose radiology between the years 2013 and 2016, 281 were Committed, 625 Switched-Away, and 1059 Switched-To. There were significant differences among the groups for salary, length of residency, and work-life balance factors. In the Switched-Away group, more students were influenced by length of residency (18% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and fewer were influenced by salary (21% vs. 30%, p=0.004) or work-life balance (54% vs. 66%, p = 0.001) when compared to the Committed group. The Switched-To group did not significantly differ from the Committed group (all p > 0.05) for length of residency (6% vs. 5%), salary (30% vs. 30%) and work-life balance (69% vs. 66%). CONCLUSION: The data provide insight into factors that influence medical students to initially commit to, switch away from, and switch to radiology during medical school. Understanding these dynamics can inform mentors to guide medical students who are interested in a radiology career.