Altruistic Motivations and Career Satisfaction in Argentine Medical Students: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: although altruism is a significant driver of a physician’s career satisfaction, there is no information on whether this association presents itself in medical students. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the motivation profile and professional satisfaction in medical students. Materials and methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in a convenience sample of students in their first and fifth (and or last) year of Medical School in Argentina. We gathered data prospectively via an online survey that covered sociodemographic, academic, and motivational information. Results: we enrolled 2,301 students, of whom 44% reported altruistic motivations and 77% expressed satisfaction with studying medicine. Professional satisfaction was significantly more frequent among students with altruistic motivations (84% vs. 72%; X2 = 46.0; p <0.001). Such association persisted even after adjusting for multiple covariates (OR 1.94; 95%CI 1.57-2.41; p <0.001). Discussion and conclusions: medical students in Argentina with altruistic motivations may exhibit greater satisfaction with studying Medicine compared to other students. Further research studies need to establish the role of motivational profiles in academic evaluations during the study and in the selection of medical students and to consider encouraging altruism as part of an institutional policy.

Keywords

• altruism
• career satisfaction
• medical student
• motivation medical education