Influences on students' career decisions concerning general practice: a focus group study

被引:59
作者
Nicholson, Sandra [1 ]
Hastings, Adrian Michael [2 ]
McKinley, Robert Kee [3 ]
机构
[1] Queen Mary Univ London, Inst Hlth Sci Educ, Ctr Med Educ Acting, London, England
[2] Univ Leicester, Dept Med & Social Care Educ, Educ Scholarship, Leicester, Leics, England
[3] Keele Univ, Sch Med, Educt Gen Practice, Keele, Staffs, England
关键词
career choice; curriculum; general practice; MEDICAL-STUDENTS; RETENTION; EDUCATION; CHOICE; HEALTH;
D O I
10.3399/bjgp16X687049
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
Background Despite concerns about recruitment to UK general practice, there has been no concerted educational intervention to address them. Aim To better understand how medical students' perceptions of their experiences of their undergraduate curriculum may affect choosing general practice as a career. Design and setting Qualitative study comprising focus groups of a total of 58 students from a range of medical schools across the UK. Method A range of UK medical schools students were invited by email to participate in focus groups and return a questionnaire detailing their current career choice to facilitate sampling students with varied career preferences. Students late in their studies were sampled as they were likely to be considering future careers. Focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and anonymised for both school and participant, then thematically analysed. Perceived differences in medical school culture, curriculum philosophy, design, and intent were explored. Results Six focus groups (58 students) were convened. Some student participants' career aspirations were strongly shaped by family and home, but clinical placements remained important in confirming or refuting these choices. High quality general practice attachments are a powerful attractor to general practice and, when they reflect authentic clinical practice, promote general practice careers. GP tutors can be powerful, positive role models. Students' comments revealed conflicting understandings about general practice. Conclusion Attracting rather than coercing students to general practice is likely to be more effective at changing their career choices. Early, high quality, ongoing and, authentic clinical exposure promotes general practice and combats negative stereotyping. It is recommended that increasing opportunities to help students understand what it means to be a 'good GP' and how this can be achieved are created.
引用
收藏
页码:E768 / E775
页数:8
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