Summary. A comparison of 121 mature‐age and 270 normal‐age entrants who graduated from the University of Queensland Medical School between 1972 and 1987 shows that mature‐age entrants are some 7 years older, are more likely to come from public (state) schools and less likely to have parents in professional/ technical occupations. Otherwise, the two groups were similar in terms of gender, marital status, number of children, ethnic background and current practice location. The educational background of mature‐age entrants prior to admission includes 44.6% with degrees in health‐science areas and 31.4% with degrees in non‐health areas. Reasons for delayed entry of mature‐age entrants include late consideration of medicine as a career (34.7%), financial problems (31.4%), dissatisfaction with previous career (30.6%), poor academic results (19.8%), or a combination of the above factors. Motivations to study medicine include family influences (more so in normal‐age entrants), altruistic reasons (more so in mature‐age entrants) and a variety of personal/social factors such as intellectual satisfaction, prestige and financial security (similar for both groups) and parental expectations (more so in normal‐age entrants). Mature‐age entrants experienced greater stress throughout the medical course, especially with regard to financial difficulties, loneliness/isolation from the students and family problems (a greater proportion were married with children). While whole‐course grades were similar in both groups, normal‐age entrants tended to win more undergraduate honours/prizes and postgraduate diplomas/degrees, including specialist qualifications. Practice settings were similar in terms of group private practice, hospital/clinic practice or medical administration, but there was a greater proportion of mature‐age entrants in solo private practice, and a smaller proportion in teaching/ research. If given the time over, some two‐thirds of both groups would choose medicine as a career. Reasons for job satisfaction include helping patients, intellectual stimulation and financial rewards. Reasons for dissatisfaction include pressure of work, red‐tape/paperwork, ‘doctor‐bashing’, long working hours, emotional strain, financial pressure, unfulfilled career expectations and irritation with trivial medical complaints. 1990 Blackwell Publishing
