Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Motivational factors influencing the choice of oncology as a specialty among French medical students. |
| Authors: |
Penel, Nicolas, Cren, Pierre-Yves, Ducroq, Christophe, Laurent, Estelle M. N., Choukroun, Gabriel, Hazzan, Marc, Crie, Dominique |
| Source: |
BMC Medical Education; 3/27/2025, Vol. 25 Issue 1, p1-9, 9p |
| Subject Terms: |
MEDICAL students, ACADEMIC motivation, INTRINSIC motivation, MEDICAL specialties & specialists, COUNTRY life |
| Abstract: |
Background: There is limited data regarding what motivations are behind the choice of oncology (both medical oncology and radiation oncology) as a specialty among medical students. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the factors that motivate medical students to choose oncology as a specialty. Methods: Medical students of classes 2022 and 2023 in the Universities of Lille and Amiens (North of France) were enrolled in a quantitative online survey. Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) and binary and multiple linear regressions were performed to identify the factors that determine the choice of specialty among the students. Results: Among 563 respondents (response rate: 45%) who participated in the survey, 14, 13, and 14 were considering oncology as their first (2.5%), second (2.3%), and third (2.5%) specialty choices, respectively. The CHAID analysis retained two factors: "rotation in the medical oncology unit" (p <.0001) and "identification with a physician practicing the desired specialty" (p = 0.049). The factors identified in the multivariate regression analysis (weighted according to first, second, or third choices) differed according to sex. In men, rotation in a radiation oncology unit (β = 0.190; p < 0.001) or a medical oncology unit (β = 0.227; p = 0.010) and interest in fundamental research (β = 0.063; p < 0.001) were positively associated with choosing oncology as a specialty, whereas working in rural areas (β=-0.094; p = 0.014) was negatively associated with choosing oncology as a specialty. In women, rotation in a medical oncology unit (β = 0.289; p < 0.001), interest in cultivating a long-term relationship with patients (β = 0.129; p < 0.001), and interest in a hospital-based career (β = 0.214;p < 0.001) were positively associated with choosing oncology as a specialty; whereas desire to see the results of treatments quickly (β=-0.143; p = 0.018) and working in rural areas (β=-0.153; p = 0.006) were negatively associated with choosing oncology as a specialty. Conclusions: Experience during hospital rotations plays a crucial role in the specialty choices made by medical students. The motivations behind choosing oncology as a specialty differ according to gender. Intrinsic motivations (interests in fundamental research or in cultivating a long-term relationship with patients) and contextual factors (rural life or interest in a hospital-based career) influence the specialty choices of medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Complementary Index |
