Abstract

SILVA, Maria do Socorro Costa da et al. Factors and motives associated to choosing pediatrics as a specialty. Rev. Bras. Educ. Med. [online]. 2014, vol.38, n.4, pp.427-434. ISSN 1981-5271.  https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-55022014000400003.

In order to understand the lack of pediatricians in some regions of Brazil, we aimed to identify factors associated with student doctors' choice to specialize in pediatrics and the intention to return to their city of origin. A questionnaire was applied to students of a private university in Rio de Janeiro, around half of whom are usually from other regions of Brazil. Analyses were made of associations between the choice of pediatrics and socio-demographic characteristics, an intention to return to their home town, the influences of third parties and motives for following a medical career, classified as "indispensability", "helping people", "respectability", and "science". Of the 244 interns who answered the questionnaire, 99 (41%) chose pediatrics. Of the 110 students from other states, 56% of those who opted for pediatrics declared no intention to return to their home states, compared to 35% of those choosing Internal Medicine (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.04-5.59). The motives "indispensability" (rs = - 0.23; p < 0,.000) and "respect" (rs = - 0.21; p = 0.001) were negatively correlated to the choice of pediatrics. The scenario alerts to the possible persistence of an uneven distribution of pediatricians in the country and suggests that incentives for returning to their home state may be needed, since self-oriented motives are less important to students who choose pediatrics.

Keywords : Career Choice; Medical Students; Pediatrics; Medical Education.

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