Longitudinal Qualitative Study of Career Decision-making of First-Year Medical Students: Why Neurology (or Not)?
Rachel Gottlieb-Smith, Douglas J Gelb, Benjamin Becker, Braydon Dymm, Olivia Gutgsell, Namrata Patel, Dorene F Balmer
Author Information
Rachel Gottlieb-Smith: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. ORCID
Douglas J Gelb: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Benjamin Becker: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Braydon Dymm: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Olivia Gutgsell: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Namrata Patel: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Dorene F Balmer: Department of Pediatrics (RG-S, NP), and Department of Neurology, University of Michigan (DJG, BB, BD, OG), Ann Arbor; and Department of Pediatrics (DFB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
OBJECTIVE: The growing shortage of neurologists is in part due to suboptimal recruitment. Little is known about students' decision making regarding a career in neurology, particularly early in training. Using a longitudinal qualitative approach, we aimed to understand factors that influence first-year medical students' decisions about neurology. METHODS: We conducted 1-on-1 semistructured interviews with 15 first-year medical students at 1 institution before and after the preclinical neurology course (2018-2019). In the first interview, we asked about career intentions, factors likely to influence specialty choice, and perceptions of neurology. In the second interview, we asked about changes in students' views over the year. Using thematic analysis, we generated codes and clustered coded data into themes. RESULTS: The 2 most prominent factors influencing career choice in general were lifestyle and personal interest. No students expressed concerns about lifestyle in neurology. Most students were neutral about neurology or had a positive personal interest, which typically increased after the neurology course. Students frequently worried about content difficulty and the curative potential of neurology. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should include early education about the factors important to students in determining specialty choice, including lifestyle, and address potentially negative perceptions of neurology. Increasing time allotment to the preclinical neurology course may combat perception of the content as difficult.
References
Neurology. 2017 Feb 21;88(8):797-808
[PMID: 28122905]
