Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul (Dec 2003)
Factors influencing the specialty field choices of medical school graduates
Abstract
Background and Objective: Growing national concern about large increase in the number of medical school graduates, specialty choice and availability of the physicians to medical services specially after cultural revolution due to challenges. This study was done to determine the factors influencing the specialty choices of medical graduates. Methods: This study was done on all applicants in specially entrance exam in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences by completing medical school graduation questionnaires. Factors rating also compared in specialty groups and their relationship with demographic variables was surveyed. Findings: Two factors rated as having great influence on specialty choice decision of medical students related to their interest in helping people (Rated 3.07), and scientific content of specialty (Ratted 3). Medical malpractice insurance costs had the influence (Rated 0.98). Most of men aimed towards independence, whereas most of women aimed towards predictable working hours. Opportunity to make changes in people’s life influenced on the specialty choices of usual participants, whereas specific scholarship group paid more attention to independence and exercise of social responsibility. Patients contact factors were less important to graduates opting for support specialties. Also, there was a significant relationship between the participation’s age and four factors. Conclusion: With regard to differences in specialty choices of each sex, it is concluded that the growing proportion of female physicians could change the medical profession structure. In any case, knowing the hierarchy of influences on graduates’ motivations can help education strategists to determine what experiences and perceptions must be changed if a different kind of specialty decision is to result.
