Factors Influencing the Specialty Selection of Medical Students

Kim, Hyungjoon; Park, Seojin; Kim, Jeongeun; Park, Euncheol; Lee, Hooyeon

Abstract

PURPOSE
We wanted to further analyze the qualities that influence Korean medical students on their decision to choose each of the specialized areas of medicine. METHODS: We were able to obtain questionnaires from 394 students of Y University, School of Medicine. The students rated the various influential factors for specialty selection by using a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The factors found to influence the selection of popular specialties were gender, grades/scores, lifestyle attributes, and residency issues. Patient contact, lifestyle attributes, prospects, income prospects, and health care policies were significantly rated factors for choosing clinical-oriented specialties. For the selection of Medical specialties, gender, income, social responsibilities, income prospects, and malpractice insurance costs were the influential factors. Gender, 3rd year students, social responsibilities, prospects, income prospects, and society's views on medical profession affected the students' decisions to choose the major specialties. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study, we can conclude that gender and income prospects are some of the most significant factors affecting a student's selection of a specialty. These results suggest reform and improvement for a more stable health care policy and management strategies.