The influence on career choice of student feelings about patients and responsibilities in patient care (that is, the perceived match between their style of interpersonal interaction and the expected patient interactions in the chosen specialty) is discussed. Important consequences for planning medical manpower are explored. (Author/MLW)

Career plans, based on responses to the Association of American Medical Colleges' first annual graduation questionnaire concerning the racial/ethnic identity of 1978 U.S. medical graduates, are reported. The data show that the six racial/ethnic groups follow similar general trends, though group differences do appear. (MLW)