A survey of 723 medical school graduates investigated motivations for early specialty selections and later changes and factors involved in current specialty choice. Perceived match of personality and specialty, technology and methodology characteristic of specialty, and time for family were critical. Greater awareness of career lifestyles is…

A survey of 530 male and 137 female graduates of Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania) found numerous gender differences in their assessments of selected areas of the medical school curriculum, issues of medical practice and professional life, and specialty choices, professional activities, and research productivity. (Author/MSE)

A survey of 456 rural physicians identified features of their training that correlated with their self-reported preparedness for rural practice and small-town living, and with how long they stayed in their rural practices. Results suggest residency rotations in rural areas are the best educational experiences to prepare physicians for rural…

Recent research on the physician workforce in the United States suggests that the projected supply of generalist physicians will be adequate. However, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommendation for training of more generalists is still valid, because more physicians will be needed to maintain an adequate generalist…

A survey of 173 medical residency and fellowship graduates found women expecting spouses to contribute half the family income; men anticipated sole responsibility. Married women with children planned on working fewer hours than others. It is concluded that family structure may be important in income and working hours patterns. (Author/MSE)

A survey of 246 primary care and 90 academic physicians found that for the former, length of training, direct patient contact, and threats of malpractice suits were significant influences in career choice. For the latter, long-term research participation, intellectual stimulation, specialty content, and mentor or role model were more significant…

A survey of U.S. medical schools (104 responses) found a significant association between required family practice clerkships or preceptorships and those institutions ranking in the highest quartile for percent of graduates entering family practice. A similar significant association was found between student selection of family practice options and…

A study compared characteristics of the 25 medical schools producing the lowest percentage of primary care physicians with the 25 producing the largest percentage. Results indicate differences in school commitment to primary care education, research programs, and clinical environments supporting required clerkships, suggesting educational…

Among 4,931 young physicians, those most likely to question career choice had higher proportions of white women, African Americans, and Hispanics. These had lower incomes, higher educational debt, more hours and patient visits, and were more likely to report inappropriate use of tests and procedures and lack of autonomy. Implications are…

Using data on 3,569 women and 15,582 men trained in internal medicine, this study investigated gender differences in choice of primary care practice and their possible relationship to training program type, traditional or primary care. Results indicate women pursued primary care more often than did men, regardless of training program completed.…

Research on effects of medical school curriculum on choice of careers in rural and underserved areas suggests medical students' pre-established interests are at least as predictive as curriculum. Most medical schools and residencies need extensive curriculum changes if students' careers are to be affected. Admissions offices can play a pivotal…

Issues related to the production of more generalists in medicine are discussed, including economic, practice-related, and scientific forces favoring practice of specialty medicine; the influence of the medical school experience on career choice; strategies for correcting the balance inside and outside academic medicine; and resulting alternative…

A survey of 154 graduates of a University of Arizona medical school curriculum in international health found (1) a high proportion of women graduates; (2) higher than expected numbers of graduates entering family practice and pediatrics; (3) completion of a field experience in a developing nation by 73 percent; and (4) participant satisfaction…