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Emergency medicine as a career choice: a descriptive study of Canadian medical students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Ian M. Scott ,
Riyad B. Abu-Laban ,
Margot C. Gowans ,
Bruce J. Wright  and
Fraser R. Brenneis
Ian M. Scott*
Affiliation:
Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Riyad B. Abu-Laban
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Margot C. Gowans
Affiliation:
Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Bruce J. Wright
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
Fraser R. Brenneis
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta
*
University of British Columbia, David Strangway Bldg, 300-5950 University Blvd., Vancouver BC V6T 1Z3; ian.scott@familymed.ubc.ca

Abstract

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Background:

Studies indicate that a student's career interest at medical school entry is related to his or her ultimate career. We sought to determine the level of interest in emergency medicine among students at the time of medical school entry, and to describe characteristics associated with students primarily interested in emergency medicine.

Methods:

We surveyed students in 18 medical school classes from 8 Canadian universities between 2001 and 2004 at the commencement of their studies. Participants listed their top career choice and the degree to which a series of variables influenced their choices. We also collected demographic data.

Results:

Of 2420 surveys distributed, 2168 (89.6%) were completed. A total of 6.1% (95% confidence interval 5.1%–7.1%) of respondents cited emergency medicine as their first career choice. When compared with students primarily interested in family medicine, those primarily interested in emergency medicine reported a greater influence of hospital orientation and a lesser influence of social orientation on their career choice. When compared with students primarily interested in the surgical specialties, those primarily interested in emergency medicine were more likely to report medical lifestyle and varied scope of practice as important influences. When compared with students primarily interested in the medical specialties, those who reported interest in emergency medicine were more likely to report that a hospital orientation and varied scope of practice were important influences, and less likely to report that social orientation was important.

Conclusion:

Students primarily interested in emergency medicine at medical school entry have attributes that differentiate them from students primarily interested in family medicine, the surgical specialties or the medical specialties. These findings may help guide future initiatives regarding emergency medicine education.

Keywords

educationmedicalundergraduatecareer choicespecialtiesemergency medicinemedical studentmedical school
Type
Original Research • Recherche originale
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 196 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2009

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