1Professor, Medical Ethics and Bioethics, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, BA, Brazil
2Associate Professor, Medical Ethics and Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
3Medical Student, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, BA, Brazil
*Corresponding author email id: lilianelinskusterer@bahiana.edu.br
**Email id: martamenezes@bahiana.edu.br
Online published on 16 April, 2015.
The early choice of specialisation by medical students is a matter of concern in medical education. In Brazil controllable lifestyle has become a determining factor in students’ selection criteria for a particular specialisation. Northeast Brazil is an area of great social economic disparities and primary care for poorer people is the greatest need.
The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with the choice of the professional area of medicine by students. A qualitative and quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study investigated medical students from Salvador, Brazil.
Data were collected using semi-structured interviews which were analysed by the Thematic Analysis technique.
The sample consisted of 39 students, 61.5% of whom were women and they had a mean age 22 ± 2.3 years. Positive factors related to career choice were: the desire to help other people, the will to practice a proper technique, to get a good salary, recognition and personal satisfaction. Negative factors identified were: sacrificing their private lives, stressful routine and poor payment. The influence of parents on students’ decisions was observed in this research.
Identification of the factors that influence the choice of specialty by medical students can guide Brazilian medical education in the preparation of future physicians ready to meet the health needs of the population.
Career choice, Primary care education, Medical humanities, Thematic analysis, Interview
