To explore factors that influence senior medical students to pursue careers in family medicine.
Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.
University of Western Ontario (UWO) in London.
Eleven of 29 graduating UWO medical students matched to Canadian family medicine residency programs beginning in July 2001.
Eleven semistructured interviews were conducted with a maximum variation sample of medical students. Interviews were transcribed and reviewed independently, and a constant comparative approach was used by the team to analyze the data.
Family physician mentors were an important influence on participants' decisions to pursue careers in family medicine. Participants followed one of three pathways to selecting family medicine: from an early decision to pursue family medicine, from initial uncertainty about career choice, or from an early decision to specialize and a change of mind.
The perception of a wide scope of practice attracts candidates to family medicine. Having more family medicine role models early in medical school might encourage more medical students to select careers in family medicine.
Notes
Cites: Fam Pract. 1997 Jun;14(3):194-89201491
Cites: Acad Med. 1997 Jun;72(6):534-419200589
Cites: Fam Med. 1999 Sep;31(8):551-810489637
Cites: Fam Med. 1999 Sep;31(8):559-6510489638
Cites: Acad Med. 1999 Sep;74(9):1011-510498095
Cites: Acad Med. 1997 Jul;72(7):635-409236475
Cites: CMAJ. 1997 Mar 1;156(5):682-49068578
Cites: Fam Med. 1999 Oct;31(9):641-610554724
Cites: Fam Med. 2000 May;32(5):320-510820673
Cites: Br J Gen Pract. 2000 Jun;50(455):483-510962790
Cites: Fam Med. 2000 Sep;32(8):543-5011002864
Cites: CMAJ. 2002 May 28;166(11):1419-2012054410
Cites: Acad Med. 1993 Jul;68(7):572-48323652
Cites: Fam Med. 1994 Sep;26(8):500-37988807
Cites: J Gen Intern Med. 1997 Jan;12(1):76-79034952
Comment In: Can Fam Physician. 2003 Dec;49:159214708922
Comment In: Can Fam Physician. 2003 Sep;49:1065, 106914526852