The Impact of U.S. Medical Students?? Debt on Their Choice of Primary Care Careers: An Analysis of Data from the 2002 Medical School Graduation Questionnaire

Background and Objectives: The United States is projected to have a shortage of up to 46,000 primary care physicians by 2025. In many cases, medical students appear to select other specialties for financial reasons, including educational debt. Physicians who were part of two BS/MD programs and received full tuition and fee scholarships for college and medical school were surveyed to examine factors that may have impacted their specialty choice. This population of US students was selected because they do not have educational debt, so their choices could be examined independent of this influence. Methods: One hundred forty physicians who graduated from the programs as of June 2013 were invited to complete a 32-question online survey. Descriptive statistics described the population. χ2 tests and nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) tests compared primary care and nonprimary care physicians as well as those initially interested in primary care who changed before medical school graduation versus those who went into primary care. Factor analysis and Student t-test examined trends among Likert scale questions. Results: For the physicians for whom contact information was available, 74 (53%) responded. Out of 74 respondents, 18 (24%) went into primary care. Perceptions of family medicine, comments from faculty, and lifestyle played a role in deterring students from primary care. Conclusions: Full tuition and fee scholarships alone were not associated with more students choosing primary care.

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Quality improvement in medical students' education: the AAMC medical school graduation questionnaire

Medical Education ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2923.2004.01760.x ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 234-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

John H Lockwood ◽

Rajeev K Sabharwal ◽

Deborah Danoff ◽

Michael E Whitcomb

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Medical School Graduation ◽

School Graduation

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New generation of medical students: what they are looking for?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.676 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

E Dobretsova ◽

I Arshukova ◽

T Dugina

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Medical Graduates ◽

Self Confidence ◽

The Future ◽

Medical School Graduation ◽

School Graduation ◽

Future Work

Abstract Background Changes in technologies and standards of life leads to the fact that each generation is very different from the previous one. Modification of generations affects the quality and the development of medicine. Current medical students are our future doctors. And changes in health care will be made by them soon. So, their views will influence the development of health care system in the future. Therefore, it is important for us to understand how today's graduates see their future work and what is important for them. Methods The opinions of 720 final year medical students were investigated using an anonymous questionnaire in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 program by the following methods (p < 0.05): descriptive statistics, decision trees analysis, χ2-test. Results Medicine have to change rapidly in accordance with the demands of new generations. Only in such case, current graduates of medical schools would like to work in practice medicine in the future. In this work, factors that are important for the work of modern students were investigated. Such posers were examined: the opportunities to work in rural areas and the basis for such decisions, the choice of future doctors' specialty, the young doctors' self-confidence and how much time they need experienced doctors' support as mentors. To avoid further staff shortages, we have to take into account the needs and priorities of today's graduates. Conclusions Practically all of the graduates are not ready to work alone immediately after medical school graduation - 97.0% of them report that they need a mentor. In addition, the majority of them prefer to work with mentor for a year or more (80.5%). Practically half of the students are ready to work in rural areas (49.5%); the most important factors that influence their decision are salary, free housing and clinic's equipment (important for 53.4%, 35.9% and 26.5% of the graduates, respectively). Key messages The majority of the graduates are not ready to work alone immediately after medical school graduation and need a mentor for a year or more. Increased salary, free housing and good clinic’s equipment may attract the medical graduates to work in rural areas.

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The impact of integrating environmental health into medical school curricula: a survey-based study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02458-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin Kligler ◽

Genevieve Pinto Zipp ◽

Carmela Rocchetti ◽

Michelle Secic ◽

Erin Speiser Ihde

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Environmental Health ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Learning Objectives ◽

Lead Contamination ◽

Institute Of Medicine ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Inclusion of environmental health (EH) in medical education serves as a catalyst for preparing future physicians to address issues as complex as climate change and health, water pollution and lead contamination. However, previous research has found EH education to be largely lacking in U.S. medical education, putting future physicians at risk of not having the expertise to address patients’ environmental illnesses, nor speak to prevention. Methods Environmental health (EH) knowledge and skills were incorporated into the first-year medical school curriculum at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Nutley, New Jersey), via a two-hour interactive large group learning module with follow up activities. Students completed the Environmental Health in Med School (EHMS) survey before and after the year 1 EH module. This survey evaluates medical students’ attitudes, awareness and professionalism regarding environmental health. In year 2, students completed the Environmental Health Survey II, which measured students’ perceptions of preparedness to discuss EH with future patients. The research team created both surveys based upon learning objectives that broadly aligned with the Institute of Medicine six competency-based environmental health learning objectives. Results 36 year 1 students completed both the pre and post EHMS surveys. McNemar’s test was used for paired comparisons. Results identified no statistically significant changes from pre to post surveys, identifying a dramatic ceiling. When comparing year 2, EHS II pre-survey (n = 84) and post-survey (n = 79) responses, a statistically significant positive change in students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health with their patients following the curriculum intervention was noted. Conclusions Our conclusion for the EHMS in Year 1 was that the current generation of medical students at this school is already extremely aware of and concerned about the impact of environmental issues on health. Through the EHS II in Year 2, we found that the six-week environmental health module combining didactic and experiential elements significantly increased medical students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health issues, including climate change, with their patients.

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O52: THE IMPACT OF STUDENT BACKGROUND ON PERFORMANCE AND STRESS DURING SURGICAL SIMULATION

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab117.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Soualhi ◽

MSA Amin ◽

A Aydin ◽

MS Khan ◽

P Dasgupta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Surgical Simulation ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Skills Acquisition ◽

Laparoscopic Skills ◽

Student Background ◽

Simulation Performance ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Early exposure of medical students to surgical skills has been associated with an increased interest in pursuing a career in surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of student background on basic laparoscopic skills acquisition and perceived stress to workload during simulation. Method Students were recruited to a course modelled on the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) programme. Students filled out a pre-course demographic survey, and a post-course survey that evaluated perceived stress to workload (SURG-TLX). Pre- and post-course confidence in laparoscopic skills, performance in the course, as well as SURG-TLX parameters were statistically compared for all demographic factors. Result Twenty-three participants completed the course, fifteen (65%) of which were female. Ten students were junior (first and second year), and thirteen were senior (third year and above). Hobbies were grouped into either requiring hand-eye coordination (n=9), manual dexterity (n=9), or no relevance to surgery (n=5). No significant differences were found in demographic factors for course performance or pre- and post-course confidence. No significant differences were found between male and female students, and between different hobby groups, in all SURG-TLX parameters. Senior students reported a significantly higher Physical Demand of the SURG-TLX compared to juniors (p=0.042). No differences were found in other parameters. Conclusion Our study showed no correlation between student background (notably sex and stage of medical school) and basic laparoscopic skills acquisition or stress during simulation. We therefore suggest that medical students are provided with more exposure to acquire basic laparoscopic skills regardless of their background. Take-home message Medical student background is not a discriminator in surgical simulation performance and stress. All medical students, regardless of their sex or stage of medical school, should be given the opportunity to practice laparoscopic skills.

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Datapoints. Psychiatrists' interests by year of medical school graduation

Psychiatric Services ◽

10.1176/ps.47.4.355 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 355-355

Keyword(s):

Medical School ◽

Medical School Graduation ◽

School Graduation

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The Impact of a Novel Outdoor Orientation Program on Incoming Medical Students

Journal of Experiential Education ◽

10.1177/10538259211048611 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105382592110486

Author(s):

Jacquelyn B. Kercheval ◽

Alec Bernard ◽

Hanna Berlin ◽

Nicole Byl ◽

Boone Marois ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Personal Development ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Orientation Program ◽

Outdoor Orientation Programs ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact ◽

Outdoor Orientation ◽

Outdoor Orientation Program

Background: Undergraduate outdoor orientation programs facilitate students’ transition into college. Research has yet to be conducted on the few programs at medical schools, which may have unique benefits given the specific challenges of transitioning to medical school and high rates of burnout among medical students. Purpose: This mixed methods study examines the impact of one medical school's outdoor orientation program on its participants. Methodology/Approach: A survey was administered immediately following the 2018 trip ( N = 56 responses). Follow-up focus groups were conducted with a sample of the same participants ( N = 18) in 2019. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings/Conclusions: Participants felt that the program helped ease their transition into medical school, establish a support system, and hone personal development and wellness skills. Many of these effects persisted up to one year later. Implications: These findings are of particular interest to the medical and experiential education communities because many outcomes persisted for at least one year after the original trip and aligned with factors believed to protect against medical student burnout. There is opportunity for additional research as well as expansion of similar programs to other medical schools.

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Student engagement and higher order skill proficiency: a comparison of traditional didactic and renewed integrated active learning curricula

AJP Advances in Physiology Education ◽

10.1152/advan.00149.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 685-692 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mari K. Hopper ◽

Daniela A. Brake

Keyword(s):

Student Engagement ◽

Medical Students ◽

Active Learning ◽

Medical School ◽

Curriculum Reform ◽

Higher Order ◽

Poor Correlation ◽

First Year ◽

Cohort Groups ◽

The Impact

A large, multicampus, public medical school underwent curricular renewal, emphasizing a student-centered approach with 50% of all course contact time devoted to active learning. Determining the impact of active learning on student engagement and higher order skill (HOS) proficiency was the primary aim of this study. Following Institutional Review Board approval, two cohort groups of first-year medical students were enrolled. The first cohort ( n = 54) included students before curriculum reform in the legacy curriculum (LC). The second cohort ( n = 73) included students completing studies in the renewed curriculum (RC). Near the end of the first year of medical school, both cohorts completed a validated survey of student engagement, and a proctored problem-based assessment of HOS proficiency [Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+)]. Results indicated RC students perceived greater levels of engagement than LC (39.5+5.8 vs. 33.3+5.6), and greater reliance on HOS, including analysis, synthesis, and application. However, there were no significant differences between cohorts in proficiency of HOS when assessed by the CLA+ (LC = 1,878 ± 161 vs. RC = 1,900 ± 157). Additionally, poor correlation between engagement and HOS for both LC and RC indicated more engaged students do not necessarily possess greater HOS proficiency. Ceiling effect may explain results as medical students enter medical school as highly skilled learners with potentially little room for improvement. It will be informative to continue to track engagement and HOS of both cohort groups as they continue their medical studies.

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First year medical students’ perceptions of the impact of wearing scrubs on professional identity: a narrative analysis in the United Arab Emirates

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039357 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e039357

Author(s):

Sara Sorrell ◽

Halah Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Medical School ◽

Professional Identity ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

First Year ◽

Written Narratives ◽

First Year Medical Students ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesMedical school serves as a critical developmental period for future physicians, during which students begin to form a professional identity. Just as personal appearance, particularly clothing, is an important external expression of one’s personal identity, ‘uniforms’ in healthcare, including white coats and scrubs, symbolise status and a group identity. There are, however, limited studies on the impact of physician attire on medical students’ formation of professional identity. Accordingly, through qualitative analysis of written narratives, we sought to analyse medical students’ experiences of wearing professional physician attire, namely scrubs, and how the uniform impacted their confidence level, performance and behaviours, as well as their identity as future physicians.DesignQualitative analysis of medical student’s written narratives.SettingKhalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences (KU CMHS) is a new medical school in the United Arab Emirates, with an inaugural class of 30 students admitted in August 2019. It is the only medical school in the city of Abu Dhabi, and the only school in the country that follows a postgraduate medical curriculum.ParticipantsAll first year medical students at KU CMHS were purposively sampled.MethodsStudents completed a voluntary online anonymous questionnaire. We employed a social identity approach to data analysis. Thematic content analysis was conducted on their narratives to identify themes.ResultsWe identified three major themes, namely (1) emotions, (2) logistics and (3) interpersonal relationships.ConclusionsMedical students form early perceptions regarding physician attire and its impact on their professional identity. Engaging in conversations regarding professional attire with educators or mentors could provide an important opportunity for students to discuss and explore professional identity early in training.

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Changes in Characteristics and Practice Patterns of Ontario Psychiatrists

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0706743716661325 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 40-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Paul Kurdyak ◽

Juveria Zaheer ◽

Joyce Cheng ◽

David Rudoler ◽

Benoit H. Mulsant

Keyword(s):

Medical School ◽

Practice Patterns ◽

Outpatient Visit ◽

High Concentration ◽

Urban Settings ◽

Practice Characteristics ◽

Medical School Graduation ◽

School Graduation ◽

The Mean ◽

The Way

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in demographic, geographic, and practice characteristics of all Ontario psychiatrists between 2003 and 2013 and their implication for access to psychiatrists. Methods: We included all psychiatrists who were clinically active in Ontario in any year from 2003 to 2013. For each psychiatrist, we reported age, sex, years since medical school graduation, geographic practice region, and practice characteristics such as total number of inpatients, outpatients, and outpatient visit frequencies. Results: In 2013, there were 2070 psychiatrists, with nearly half (47%) more than 30 years since medical school graduation. Female psychiatrists comprised 41% of all psychiatrists in 2013 but 56% of all psychiatrists within 15 years of medical school graduation. Between 2003 and 2013, there was a 17% increase in the total number of psychiatrists, with the largest growth in psychiatrists occurring in the group more than 30 years from medical school graduation. Over these 11 years, the mean (SD) number of unique outpatients seen by a psychiatrist annually increased from 208 (228) to 249 (275) (19.5%; P = 0.001), with male psychiatrists, on average, seeing more outpatients annually than female psychiatrists. Conclusion: The number of outpatients seen by psychiatrists is slowly increasing. However, the large proportion of aging psychiatrists, the high concentration of psychiatrists in urban settings, and the increase in the number of female psychiatrists with smaller practices suggest that without radical changes to the way psychiatrists practice, access to psychiatrists will remain a challenge in Ontario.

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