Tomorrow's paediatricians: factors influencing graduating doctors in choosing a career in paediatrics

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood 2012-05, Vol.97 (Suppl 1), p.A176-A176
• Main Authors: Stevens, DJ, Mason, JD, Jackson, JA, Kynoch, J, Hotton, EJ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Career Choice; Careers; Females; Graduation; Incentives; Labor Force; Likert Scales; Occupational health; Physicians; Undergraduate Students; Working conditions; Working Hours
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-301885.413

Aim To identify influencing factors for a graduating doctor considering a career in paediatrics. Methods An online structured questionnaire was distributed using SurveyMonkey to all graduating doctors at Cardiff, Bristol and Glasgow Schools' of Medicine. Respondents were asked to provide demographic information, as well as their ideal career choice followed by the specialty they realistically see themselves pursuing. Following this, respondents rated 19 career influences using a 5-point Likert scale. Data was analysed using non-parametric tests. Results The response rate was 31% (233/751) with 60.5% from Cardiff, 23.6% from Glasgow and 15.5% from Bristol. 81.5% (n=190) were undergraduates and 63.1% (n=147) were female. Mann-Whitney tests were employed to characterise the differing career influences between males and females. Males were more influenced than females by public prestige (p=0.01), professional prestige (p=0.01) and research opportunities (p=0.03), whereas factors more influential for females were patient relationships (p=