• Elena Svirko, Trevor W Lambert, and Michael J Goldacre.
• UK Medical Careers Research Group, Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
• J R Soc Med. 2015 Jan 1; 108 (1): 17-27.

ObjectivesTo explore the impact of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) training on the stability of medical career choices in the UK.Setting Uk ParticipantsGraduates of 2002 and 2008 from all UK medical schools, 1 and 3 years postgraduation.DesignQuestionnaire surveys were conducted of 2002 and 2008 graduates from all UK medical schools 1 and 3 years post graduation.Main Outcome MeasuresDoctors gave their specialty choice(s) and rated the influence of each of 11 factors on their career choice.Results2008 graduates were a little more likely than graduates of 2002 to retain their year 1 choice in year 3 (77.3% vs. 73.3%; p = 0.002). Among 2008 graduates, the percentage retaining their year 1 choice varied between 42% (clinical oncology) and 79% (general practice). Enthusiasm for a specialty, student experience and inclinations before medical school were associated with choice retention; consideration of domestic circumstances and hours/working conditions were associated with changes of choice. 2008 graduates were more likely than 2002s to be influenced by enthusiasm for a specialty, self-appraisal of their skills, working hours and their domestic circumstances; and less likely to be influenced by their experience of jobs, a particular teacher/department or eventual financial prospects.ConclusionsPost-MMC, graduates were less likely to change their career choice and more likely to be motivated by personal factors and self-assessment of their suitability to a particular area of work.© The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

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