• Family medicine · Nov 2015

    Medical Student Participation in Family Medicine Department Extracurricular Experiences and Choosing to Become a Family Physician.

    • Amanda Kost, Jeanne Cawse-Lucas, David V Evans, Frederica Overstreet, C Holly A Andrilla, and Sharon Dobie.
    • Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington.
    • Fam Med. 2015 Nov 1; 47 (10): 763-9.

    Background And ObjectivesMany factors influence a medical student's decision to choose a family medicine career. The impact of participation in extracurricular programs sponsored by family medicine departments is currently unclear. Medical student participation in four University of Washington Department of Family Medicine-sponsored programs (Community Health Advancement Program, Family Medicine Interest Group, Rural Underserved Opportunity Program, and the Underserved Pathway) could be associated with becoming a family physician.MethodsDemographic data, results from a matriculation career interest survey, records indicating participation in the four extracurricular programs, and Match lists showing the specialty of each graduate were linked. Based on responses to the matriculation survey, graduates were categorized into four levels of initial family medicine interest. Chi-square tests compared both demographic data with initial family medicine interest levels and initial family medicine interest levels with program participation. For residency-matched graduates, odds ratios of matching to family medicine versus other specialties for specific family medicine programs and number of programs were calculated, controlling for demographic variables and initial family medicine interest levels.ResultsOlder age, female graduates, a rural upbringing, and high level of initial family medicine interest were independently and significantly associated with choosing family medicine. Participation in the Family Medicine Interest Group (OR 2.45) and the Underserved Pathway (OR 4.37) and two or more family medicine programs (OR 2.01--2.22) was significantly associated with entering family medicine.ConclusionsCertain demographic factors and high initial interest in family medicine is associated with entering the specialty. Some, but not all, family medicine department-sponsored extracurricular programs were associated with choosing family medicine.

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