Change of Specialty 
Preference of the 2 Private Premedical School Students in Daegu City: 1998-2001

Keimyung Medical Journal 2003;22(Suppl):28-41.

Change of Specialty Preference of the 2 Private Premedical School Students in Daegu City: 1998-2001

대구지역 2개 사립의과대학 의예과 학생들의 의과대학 진학 동기 및 전문과목 선호도 변화 : 1998-2001

이중정; 이충원; 유경탁

Abstract

Choosing a specialty is one of the most critical decisions that every medical student has to face. Unfortunately; however the decision is sometimes based on inaccurate perceptions and incomplete considerations of the ramifications of a particular choice. This study was conducted to examine the specialty preference of premedical students and evaluate its related factors in 1998 and three years thereafter. The self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted covering 63 premedical students in 1998 and 70 premedical students in 2001. Among 63 students in 1998; 15 students (23.8%) did not yet decide the specialty; and in 2001; 12 (17.1%) students did not. In the 2001 survey; compared with the 1988 survey. interests in ophthalmology; dermatology; neurosurgery; plastic surgery; and orthopedic surgery had increased (12.9% of the students preferred dermatology compared with 3.2% in 1988; and 11.4% of the students in 2001 preferred ophthalmology compared with 6.3% in 1988). In contrast; the interests in thoracic surgery and general surgery had decreased over the same period. Compared with 3 years ago; the most important factors which influenced the selection of specialty were encouragement of the faculty; the state of chosen department in hospital; risk of medical sue; job risk; and family. In contrast; less important factors; that influenced choosing of a specialty compared with 1988; were student’s character and acquisition of high quality medical technology; opportunity of service to the public prestige of specialty chosen; monetary reward; and chance for getting a job.

Key Words: Premedical school students, Specialty preference