A survey of 797 preventive medicine residency graduates found that improvements are needed in the curricula for health administration, environmental health, health education, and occupational medicine. Women found their training less adequate than men did in all areas except clinical preventive medicine. Graduates tended to practice ultimately in…

This study identified factors in graduating medical students' choice of primary versus nonprimary care specialty. Subjects were 509 students at the Medical College of Georgia in 1988-90. Students could be classified by such factors as desire for longitudinal patient care opportunities, monetary rewards, perception of lifestyle, and perception of…

A study of 11,136 1987 medical school seniors' specialty choices, before entering medical school and in preparation for residency, found similar preferences at both points, regardless of racial-ethnic background. (Author/MSE)

Analysis of data from an annual graduating medical students' survey revealed that a required third-year family medicine clerkship of at least four weeks is associated with a higher percentage of students choosing training and specialty certification in family practice. Whether clerkship inspires or reinforces preexisting choices is not indicated.…

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…

Students were asked to state their selected specialty and to rank the importance that each of 25 influences listed on a questionnaire had in making their specialty choice. Selected specialties were classified into three groups: noncontrollable lifestyle, controllable lifestyle, and surgery. (MLW)

The usefulness of the Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program, a program of workshops to help medical students choose specialties, was evaluated in a survey of 237 participating seniors. Students found the program moderately useful. The researchers found the program a useful, comprehensive, and reasonably objective tool. Long-term effects were not…

A study of medical students' pre-medical-school and graduation specialty preferences examined sex differences in selection of pediatrics at both points and changes from preference for pediatrics. Half those abandoning early preference for pediatrics stayed within primary care. More shifted from family practice to pediatrics than kept their…

Data from a survey of 1,038 men and 558 women primary care physicians were used for gender comparisons of 19 factors influencing choice of specialty. Other practice and demographic data were also considered. Results indicate men were more often influenced by early role models, women more often by personal and family factors. Some variables showed…

Using an 18-item form, residency program directors rated residency performance of graduates (n=401) of a 3- and a 4-year medical school program at Loyola University of Chicago. Three-year program graduates showed less strength in background medical knowledge and experience using research data. The only marked differences were in surgery and…

Data on 53 Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania) graduates specializing in emergency medicine (EM) found they had the highest senior year debt and expected the highest income among nonsurgeons, compared favorably in academic performance and examination scores and were very willing to treat low-income patients. Implications are discussed.…

A survey of Rush Medical College (Illinois) alumni included questions concerning indebtedness and its perceived effect on professional and personal lives. Results show little effect on practice setting and family plans, but substantial reported impact on lifestyle. Specialization and debt change over time were also factors. (MSE)

A survey of 253 final-year students at the four Saudi medical schools found the most frequently-chosen specialties were internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. Over one-fourth were unsure of career choice. Gender differences were found. Most common locations for postgraduate training were Saudi Arabia and Canada, and a…

Results of an annual survey include the numbers and percentages of all medical school graduates obtaining or not obtaining residencies, by gender and ethnic/racial background and their current activities, by residency specialty or other activity (including research, non-medical activity, and year off). (MSE)

A study investigated graduate medical students' perceptions of the effectiveness of financial incentives in recruitment to primary care residencies. Results indicated that a wide range of incentives is available, the trend is growing, and students find such incentives effective. Concern is voiced about diversion of funds needed for improvement of…