Community-based education: The influence of role modeling on career choice and practice location

• Published in: Medical teacher 2017-02, Vol.39 (2), p.174-180
• Main Authors: Amalba, A., Abantanga, F. A., Scherpbier, A. J. J. A., van Mook, W. N. K. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Career Choice; Career development; Careers; Chi-square test; Communication; Community Education; Community Health Services; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Analysis; Empathy; Faculty, Medical - psychology; Female; Gender; Ghana; Humans; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal Relations; Leadership; Male; Medical education; Medical students; Mentors - psychology; Occupational choice; Place Based Education; Professional Practice Location; Professionalism; Qualitative research; Role models; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural Health Services; Sex Factors; Soft skills; Students, Medical - psychology; Trainees; Willingness
• ISSN: 0142-159X; 1466-187X
• DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2016.1246711

Introduction: Research findings in medical education support the importance of positive role models in enhancing learning and influencing the career path of medical students and graduates. The authors explored the characteristics of positive and negative role models during Community-Based Education and Service (COBES), as well as their effect on trainees' career paths. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire among medical students to explore the characteristics of positive and negative role models during COBES. Associations between gender, choice of specialty, and practice location were assessed using the chi-square test. All qualitative data analysis was performed using the principles of primary, secondary, and tertiary coding. Result: The majority of the students indicated that role modeling during COBES will affect their choice of specialty and practice location with a significant gender difference in terms of practice location (p