Factors important in the choice of a medical career: a Finnish national study
Heikkilä, Teppo; Hyppölä, Harri; Vänskä, Jukka; Aine, Tiina; Halila, Hannu; Kujala, Santero; Virjo, Irma; Sumanen, Markku; Mattila, Kari (2015)
Heikkilä, Teppo
Hyppölä, Harri
Vänskä, Jukka
Aine, Tiina
Halila, Hannu
Kujala, Santero
Virjo, Irma
Sumanen, Markku
Mattila, Kari
2015
BMC Medical Education 15
169
Lääketieteen yksikkö - School of Medicine
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201510082355
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201510082355
Kuvaus
BioMed Central open access
Tiivistelmä
Applying for medical school is the first and also one of the most important career choices a physician makes. It is important to understand the reasons behind this decision if we are to choose the best applicants for medical schools and enable them to pursue satisfying careers.
Methods
Respondents to the Finnish Junior Physician 88, Physician 1998 and Physician 2008 studies were asked: “To what extent did the following factors influence your decision to apply for medical school?” In 1998 and 2008 the respondents were also asked: “If you were starting your studies now, would you start studying medicine?” and had to answer “Yes” or “No”. The odds ratios for the answer “No” were tested using logistic regression models.
Results
"Interest in people” was the main motive for starting to study medicine. “Good salary” and “Prestigious profession” were more important motives for males and “Vocation” and “Interest in people” for females. There were some significant changes in the motives for entering medicine in the 20-year period between studies. “Vocation” and “Wide range of professional opportunities” as important motives for entering medicine predicted satisfaction with the medical profession.
Discussion
Strong inner motivation may indicate the ability to adapt to the demands of work as a physician.
Conclusions
Medical schools should try to select those applicants with the greatest vocational inclination towards a medical career.
Methods
Respondents to the Finnish Junior Physician 88, Physician 1998 and Physician 2008 studies were asked: “To what extent did the following factors influence your decision to apply for medical school?” In 1998 and 2008 the respondents were also asked: “If you were starting your studies now, would you start studying medicine?” and had to answer “Yes” or “No”. The odds ratios for the answer “No” were tested using logistic regression models.
Results
"Interest in people” was the main motive for starting to study medicine. “Good salary” and “Prestigious profession” were more important motives for males and “Vocation” and “Interest in people” for females. There were some significant changes in the motives for entering medicine in the 20-year period between studies. “Vocation” and “Wide range of professional opportunities” as important motives for entering medicine predicted satisfaction with the medical profession.
Discussion
Strong inner motivation may indicate the ability to adapt to the demands of work as a physician.
Conclusions
Medical schools should try to select those applicants with the greatest vocational inclination towards a medical career.
Kokoelmat
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