When it is time to decide: factors associated to the choice of a medical specialty

Abstract

After finishing their initial education, physicians can enter post-graduate training programs. In Chile, there are multiple medical specialties options. This review synthesizes the factors associated with the choice of specialty, according to international publications. Students coming from rural areas or small towns would tend to choose Family Medicine. Men prefer specialties such as Surgery. Having relatives in the medical profession, specializing in a specific field, also influence the choice. Concerning interests and preferences, these are linked to personal traits and some biological variables. The inclination towards clinical or surgical fields could be predicted. Academically, the curriculum, good learning experiences and teacher models favor choice, while the harassment suffered could contribute to avoidance. Besides, both prestige and economic prospects are influential factors in the choice and specialties such as Surgery are preferred. The choice of specialty must reach a balance between the students' interests and public health needs. Identifying these factors would allow a better understanding of the present shortfall (or surplus) in certain fields and contribute to the definition of policies and decision-making.

Specialty impact on residents’ perceived quality of life, stress, and job satisfaction: a comparative study

“…Medical students’ specialty choice is influenced by a number of factors. Traditionally, interests and preferences, personal traits, sociodemographic factors, and learning experiences are known to be important [ 7 ]. A change has taken place in recent decades among medical students to follow specialties that offer greater control over lifestyle, and the less flexible lifestyle of surgical specialties has become an important reason for viewing this field as less attractive [ 7 9 10 ].…”

“…Traditionally, interests and preferences, personal traits, sociodemographic factors, and learning experiences are known to be important [ 7 ]. A change has taken place in recent decades among medical students to follow specialties that offer greater control over lifestyle, and the less flexible lifestyle of surgical specialties has become an important reason for viewing this field as less attractive [ 7 9 10 ]. A 2013 Korean study found that income, lower workload, and intellectual stimulation were the most influential factors [ 21 ], while a 2017 Canadian study rated job satisfaction and lifestyle following training as the highest [ 6 ].…”

“…The survey also highlighted discrepancies between specialties, with more than 70% of residents in cardiothoracic surgery, surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery reporting working ≥24 hours continuously at least once a week. Workload and lifestyle are significant factors that influence choosing or abandoning a medical specialty [ 2 6 7 8 9 10 ].…”

“…Furthermore, 48.1% of those contemplating abandoning residency training cited heavy workload as the primary reason [ 8 ]. Specialty choice not only affects an individual’s career and satisfaction but also contributes to the supply-demand imbalance in the healthcare system [ 7 ]. Inadequate recruitment and unexpected attrition would further hamper the quality of training and the lives of the remaining residents.…”

Comparison of medical students' considerations in choosing a specialty: 2020 vs. 2009/10

“…Previous studies from a variety of countries explored the criteria medical students use when selecting a career specialty. These studies found that influencers (clerkship experiences, mentors, junior and senior physicians), lifestyle (work–life balance, control over life style), personal attributes (personality, interests, gender, marital status), socioeconomic considerations (future earnings, loan repayments) and perceptions of the various specialties are important criteria when choosing a specialty and a residency program [ 5 – 8 ]. The leading criteria in many studies were the ability to have a controllable lifestyle and finding the specialty interesting and challenging.…”