The perceived impact of curricular and non-curricular factors on specialty interests and choice during medical school at a single center in the United States

Abstract

Background: Limited information exists regarding how medical students' specialty interests evolve throughout medical school, particularly interest in surgical versus non-surgical specialties. Our objective was to identify medical students' specialty interests before and after medical school and the most important curricular and non-curricular factors that shaped their specialty choice.

Methods: An online 22-question voluntary, anonymized survey was designed to assess specialty interests and factors impacting specialty choice at a single medical school in the United States. The study was pilot-tested with focus groups. The final questionnaire was distributed to final-year medical students from the Classes of 2020 and 2021. Responses were measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strong negative impact to 5 = strong positive impact).

Results: 102 of 184 students (55%) from Class of 2020 and 85 of 174 students (49%) from Class of 2021 participated. Of 187 respondents, the majority (60%) decided on their specialty during third year. 74 of 147 students (50%) pursued a specialty among their initial specialty interests. Students with initial surgical interests were significantly (p < 0.001) less likely to choose surgical specialties (42%) compared to students with initial non-surgical interests choosing non-surgical specialties (79%). Pre-clinical years (3.67 ± 0.96) were perceived to have a significantly (p < 0.001) less positive impact on specialty interests and choice compared to clinical years. Among pre-clinical factors, physician shadowing (3.80 ± 0.83) was perceived to have the significantly (p < 0.001) greatest positive impact. During clinicals, 34% of respondents indicated that order of clerkships impacted specialty choice. 112 of 171 respondents (65%) indicated that mentorship impacted specialty choice. Physicians in the chosen specialty were perceived to have the strongest impact (4.67 ± 0.49). 65 of 171 respondents (38%) indicated that peers impacted specialty choice with classmates (3.98 ± 0.87) and near-peers (3.83 ± 0.74) perceived to have a positive impact.

Conclusions: Specialty interests changed during medical school for a significant portion of students (50%). Those with initial surgical interests were more likely to change their specialty interests. Pre-clinicals were reported to have less impact on specialty choice compared to clinicals. Implementing factors such as shadowing and physician/peer mentorship, which may positively impact specialty choice, into pre-clinical curricula warrants further investigation.

Keywords: Curriculum; Medical education; Mentoring; Specialty choice; Specialty interests.