The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association
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The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of physicians who chose academic medicine as a career. A questionnaire was sent to all graduates of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine who held full-time positions in academic medical centers (n = 143). Ninety graduates (63%) returned usable questionnaires. ⋯ Respondents also indicated why they chose their particular specialty. The two most important factors were the content of the specialty and intellectual stimulation. Most of these physicians (64%) were very satisfied with their careers in academic medicine.