TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors influencing the choice of specialization - a cross-sectional study with civilian medical students and prospective medical officers in Germany
AU - Goetz, Katja
AU - Grienitz, Katharina
AU - Steinhäuser, Jost
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: The recruitment of physicians is an increasing challenge. The aim of the study was to explore factors that might influence future civilian and military doctors’ choice of specialization. Methods: A 28 item author developed questionnaire was used to survey civilian medical students and prospective medical officers. The questionnaire consisted of 20 items addressing choice of specialization, and eight socio-demographic factors. Response options were available in the form of open and closed questions as well as in the form of a Likert scale (1 ‘not at all’ to 6 ‘very much’). The questionnaire was completed online by prospective medical officer from June to September 2021 and by civilian students from November 2020 to March 2021. Results: In total, 2,030 students (56.1% female, mean age = 24, mean semester 6.5) participated in the survey, 1,553 civilian students and 477 prospective medical officers. Regular feedback and clear structures (mean = 5.35) followed by good teamwork (mean = 5.33) during postgraduate training was rated particularly important. Moreover, a secure job after graduation (mean = 5.23) and a compatibility of family and job (mean = 5.14) were important parameters for career choice. The specializations most frequently chosen were surgery (32.0%), internal medicine (27.1%) and anesthesiology (22.1%). The regression models showed that the choice depends on own attitude concerning the specialty would be a patient-orientation job, or a job with more manual work or more career option within in the job preferred. Conclusions: Considering the value students place on receiving feedback and the structure of their specialist training, this seems to be a promising strategy for future recruitment. Good team dynamics and job security are key concerns for prospective physicians.
AB - Background: The recruitment of physicians is an increasing challenge. The aim of the study was to explore factors that might influence future civilian and military doctors’ choice of specialization. Methods: A 28 item author developed questionnaire was used to survey civilian medical students and prospective medical officers. The questionnaire consisted of 20 items addressing choice of specialization, and eight socio-demographic factors. Response options were available in the form of open and closed questions as well as in the form of a Likert scale (1 ‘not at all’ to 6 ‘very much’). The questionnaire was completed online by prospective medical officer from June to September 2021 and by civilian students from November 2020 to March 2021. Results: In total, 2,030 students (56.1% female, mean age = 24, mean semester 6.5) participated in the survey, 1,553 civilian students and 477 prospective medical officers. Regular feedback and clear structures (mean = 5.35) followed by good teamwork (mean = 5.33) during postgraduate training was rated particularly important. Moreover, a secure job after graduation (mean = 5.23) and a compatibility of family and job (mean = 5.14) were important parameters for career choice. The specializations most frequently chosen were surgery (32.0%), internal medicine (27.1%) and anesthesiology (22.1%). The regression models showed that the choice depends on own attitude concerning the specialty would be a patient-orientation job, or a job with more manual work or more career option within in the job preferred. Conclusions: Considering the value students place on receiving feedback and the structure of their specialist training, this seems to be a promising strategy for future recruitment. Good team dynamics and job security are key concerns for prospective physicians.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206577418&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12909-024-06173-9
DO - 10.1186/s12909-024-06173-9
M3 - Journal articles
C2 - 39420325
AN - SCOPUS:85206577418
SN - 0308-0110
VL - 24
JO - BMC Medical Education
JF - BMC Medical Education
IS - 1
M1 - 1161
ER -