The chronic worldwide shortage of psychiatrists has impaired the delivery of first class mental health care. The WHO produced a report on the Mental Health Gap, showing the high burden of mental health, neurological and substance misuse disorders worldwide, estimating a treatment gap of 75% between need and resources.

Research to date has highlighted key areas that influence students' choice of a career in psychiatry. There have been several key literature reviews summarising work in the area since the 1950s. The current study updates literature with a systematic review of the past 10 years.

A five level search strategy was used.

A standard Critical Appraisal tool was developed based on the one used by the Best Evidence in Medical Education Group in Dundee. Papers were coded and graded using hierarchies of evidence - Sackett Hierarchy of Evidence and Kirkpatrick Hierarchy.

The quality of published studies has risen over the past 30 years, with the past decade producing the most robust evidence. However, it is a complex area to research with many potential confounders, and large gaps in knowledge remain.