A multivariate analysis of personality, values and expectations as correlates of career aspirations of final year medical students

  • Mary E. Rogers
  • Judy Searle
  • Peter A. Creed
  • Shu-Kay Ng
Article
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Abstract

This study reports on the career intentions of 179 final year medical students who completed an online survey that included measures of personality, values, professional and lifestyle expectations, and well-being. Logistic regression analyses identified the determinants of preferred medical specialty, practice location and hours of work. Understanding the expectations and values of this generation of doctors will assist workforce planners to address expected shortages and mal-distribution of practitioners.

Keywords

Medical students Career aspirations Medical specialty 

Résumé

Une analyse multivariée de la personnalité, des valeurs et des attentes comme déterminant les aspirations professionnelles d’étudiants en dernière année de médecine. Cette étude rend compte des intentions professionnelles de 179 étudiants en dernière année de médecine ayant complété un questionnaire en ligne qui incluait des mesures de la personnalité, des valeurs, des attentes professionnelles et personnelles, ainsi que du bien-être. Une régression logistique a identifié les déterminants des préférences concernant les spécialisations médicales, les lieux de pratique et les horaires de travail. Comprendre les attentes et les valeurs de cette génération de médecins aidera les responsables de la santé publique à faire face à la pénurie attendue de praticiens ainsi qu’à leur mauvaise répartition.

Zusammenfassung

Eine multivariate Analyse von Persönlichkeit, Werten und Erwartungen als Korrelate von Berufswünschen von Medizin Studenten im letzten Studienjahr. Die Studie beschreibt die Berufsabsichten von 179 Medizin Studenten im letzten Studienjahr, welche eine Online Befragung zu Persönlichkeit, Werten, beruflichen und persönlichen Lifestyle-Erwartungen sowie Wohlbefinden ausgefüllt haben. Logistische Regressionsanalysen identifizierten die Determinanten der bevorzugten medizinischen Spezialisierung, Ort der Praxis und Arbeitsstunden. Ein Verständnis der Erwartungen und Werte dieser Generation von Ärzten kann die Arbeitskräfteplanung darin unterstützen, erwartete Engpässe und schlechte Verteilung von praktizierenden Ärzten anzugehen.

Resumen

Análisis multivariado de la personalidad, los valores y las expectativas en relación con las aspiraciones profesionales de estudiantes de último curso de Medicina. Este estudio presenta las aspiraciones profesionales de 179 estudiantes en su úlitmo año de los estudios de medicina, que cumplimentaron un cuestionario online que incluía medidas de personalidad, volares expectativas profesionales y de estilo de vida y bienestar. A través de un análisis de regresión logística se identificaron los factores determinantes de las preferencias en cuanto a especialidad médica, lugar y horas de trabajo. La comprensión de las expectativas y valores de esta generación de doctores puede contribuir a que los responsables de planificación de recursos humanos tengan en cuenta la escasez de doctores en ciertas especialidades asi como su distribución inadecuada.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Mary E. Rogers
    • 1
  • Judy Searle
    • 2
  • Peter A. Creed
    • 1
  • Shu-Kay Ng
    • 3
  1. 1.School of PsychologyGriffith UniversityGold CoastAustralia
  2. 2.School of MedicineGriffith UniversityGold CoastAustralia
  3. 3.School of MedicineGriffith UniversityLoganAustralia

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