Is specialization in family medicine attractive? - opinions of medical students

Background. During the past 15 years general practitioners due to their qualifications and knowledge gained confidence of their patients. Because the number of GPs is insufficient it is very important to encourage students and young doctors to choose this specialization. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess attitudes of medical students of Medical University of Lublin towards the specialization in family medicine. Material and methods. The study was performed with 20 point authors' questionnaire. 417 students of the first, third, fifth and sixth year of studies were asked. Results. In responders' opinions, there work 49 250 general practitioners and their destination number is about 84 350 in Poland. In opinion of 69% responders, general practitioner should take care after not more than 1000 patients and the meeting with patient should be about 17 minutes long. 16% responders declared choosing family medicine as their specialization and this decision positively correlated with the duration of studies (p < 0.05). Only 4.3% of students assessed the position of GP in specialization hierarchy as high. 86.6% of responders considered the possibility to start specialization in family medicine as easy or very easy. Conclusions. 1. The number of students planning choosing family medicine as a specialization increases. 2. In students' opinions specialization in family medicine is not prestigious, that may get discouraged students from choosing this specialization. 3. In responders' opinion it is easy to start specialization in family medicine that may be encouraging for choosing it. 4. In responders opinion the number of GPs is insufficient and the number of patients falling to one GP is too big.