This study represents a preliminary effort toward the ultimate goal of identifying some of the major determinants of final career plans of residents in internal medicine. Initial career goal statements indicating future subspecialization are found to be important but the incidence of goal reversal is high. (LBH)

Projected labor shortages in psychiatry have prompted studies identifying factors that influence medical students in career choice. Self-images as individuals were compared with professional images of psychiatrists using subjects from internal medicine as a control group. (Author/MLW)

A questionnaire was administered to 339 graduating senior medical students at the Medical College of Georgia to determine different potential sources of influence on career choice. Indebtedness may be associated with the choice of a non-primary care specialty with greater remuneration than primary care specialty. (MLW)

Three Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) surveys are analyzed. One investigated 104 MCP graduating seniors' perceptions of their medical education and specialty and residency choices. The second asked 40 residency program directors in 4 specialties about resident selection criteria. The third had 30 physician employers identify desirable…