Introduction:

Since the National Curricular Guidelines for the Medicine course were implemented, with emphasis on the training of professionals with a generalist profile, the factors that may contribute to the interest in professional practice are unknown.

Objective:

This study aimed to analyze the perception of medical students regarding their generalist training and the factors that influence the desire for professional practice.

Methodology:

Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of qualitative and explanatory character with 523 students from different medical courses in the city of Salvador-Bahia, who answered an online survey after signing the informed consent form. The sample was categorized into interest in Immediate Specialization (IS) and among those who intend to Act as a Generalist (AG). The age and period of the course were also categorized into groups.

Results:

The age of the sample was 18 to 25 years in 83.7% (n = 438), with 72.5% (n = 380) being female, attending 69% of the 4º to 9º semesters (n = 363). The Immediate Specialization group represented 27.2% (95% CI: 35% -73%) and the group that intends to Act as a Generalist, 72.8% (95% CI: 68% -76%). General training did not influence the option for professional practice with RR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.55-1.20) p = 0.308. The factors associated with AG were believing in the generalist’s resolution capacity and SUS guidelines (p <0.001), the desire to contribute to society (p = 0.005) and society’s credibility (p = 0.044).

Conclusion:

Students perceive that the curriculum includes general training, however it did not influence the interest in professional practice. The desire to act as a generalist is present in a significant number among them, driven by altruism and the desire to contribute to society, supported by the organic laws that underlie the SUS Guidelines, while not feeling valued and having its credibility, questioned by society, only stimulates professional practice on a temporary basis.

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