SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Factors Influencing the Choice of Career in Hospital Medicine Among Us Medical Students

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This study examined factors associated with US medical students’ interest in hospital medicine (HM) using AAMC Graduating Questionnaire data from 2018–2020. The sample included 46,568 fourth-year students who answered the HM career question.<br /><br />Overall, 19.3% said they were interested in HM, 34.4% were unsure, and 46.5% were not interested. This proportion stayed stable across the three study years.<br /><br />Students interested in HM were more likely to be younger, female, and identify as racial or sexual minorities compared with students who were not interested or unsure. Specifically, interest was higher among Hispanic, Black, and Asian students, and among bisexual or gay/lesbian students than among White or heterosexual students.<br /><br />Several career-related and financial factors were linked to interest in HM. In bivariate analyses, students interested in HM were more likely to say that role models, fellowship options, and length of training strongly or moderately influenced their choice. They were less likely to be influenced by higher salary expectations, work/life balance, future family plans, educational debt, and personality fit. Interested students also had higher average educational debt and were more likely to plan to enter loan forgiveness programs.<br /><br />Multivariable regression showed independent positive associations with HM interest for minority racial/sexual orientation status, higher educational debt, plans for loan forgiveness, interest in fellowship training, family expectations, and longer residency training. Negative associations included salary expectations, work/life balance, future family plans, and specialty fit with personality, interests, and skills.<br /><br />In summary, about one in five US medical students is interested in hospital medicine, and this interest is shaped by demographics, debt, loan forgiveness, and training-related preferences.

Asset Subtitle

Jean-Sebastien Rachoin

Meta Tag

Author List Elizabeth Cerceo, Jean-Sebastien Rachoin, M.Olguta Vilceanu, Natali Franzblau, Sabrina Gordon

Category Research

Concept Hospital Medicine

Concept Medical Students

Concept Educational Debt

Concept Career Choice

Concept Demographic Factor

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Cooper University Healthcare

Presenting Author Jean-Sebastien Rachoin

Track Education

Keywords

hospital medicine

medical students

career interest

AAMC Graduating Questionnaire

educational debt

loan forgiveness

fellowship training

work-life balance

racial minorities

sexual minorities

Hospital Medicine

Medical Students

Educational Debt

Career Choice

Demographic Factor