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- Title
Influence of Medical Student Debt on the Decision to Pursue Careers in Primary Care.
- Authors
GIL, JOSEPH A.; WARYASZ, JOSEPH A.; LIU, DOROTHY; DANIELS, ALAN H.
- Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine if medical student debt has an effect on medical student specialty choice. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to students at 12 medical schools across the United States to assess the effect of debt on specialty choice. RESULTS: In total, 415 students responded to the survey; 98 medical students reported that they were pursuing a primary care residency (PCR) and 250 reported that they were pursing a non-primary care residency (NPCR). There was no significant difference in average student loan debt anticipated by medical students pursing PCR and NPCR ($142,217 vs $150,784; P>0.46). Medical students pursuing a PCR reported lower estimated salaries on average than medical students pursuing NPCR ($137,711 vs $241,804; p<0.01). Of the surveyed students, 62% of students who are pursuing PCR and 77% of the students who are pursuing a NPCR would not have pursued medicine as a career if residents were responsible for paying tuition. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant difference between the student debt of medical students pursuing PCR compared to those who are pursuing a NPCR. However, a large majority of medical students would not pursue a career in medicine if faced with the responsibility of paying tuition for residency.
- Subjects
MEDICAL students; STUDENT loans; HOSPITAL medical staff; MEDICAL school entrance requirements; ASSOCIATION of American Medical Colleges; ORTHOPEDICS; WAGES
- Publication
Rhode Island Medical Journal, 2016, Vol 99, Issue 7, p19
- ISSN
0363-7913
- Publication type
Article