Choosing a medical specialty – Study of Finnish doctors graduating in 1977–2006

Teppo HeikkiläKuopio University Hospital, Finland; TEPPO HEIKKILÄ works as a part-time physician in the health centre of Leppävirta and as a part-time researcher in the Unit of General Practice in Kuopio University Hospital. He is the chairman of the committee of education at the Finnish Medical Association. He is specializing in public health.Correspondence[email protected]

Harri HyppöläKuopio University Hospital, Finland; HARRI HYPPÖLÄ is a specialist in both public health and internal medicine. He works as an internist in Kuopio University Hospital. His thesis in 2001 was based on Physician 1998 Study and evaluation of undergraduate medical education in Finland.

Esko KumpusaloKuopio University Hospital, Finland; ESKO KUMPUSALO is a professor of family medicine in the University of Eastern Finland. He has published a lot of articles on medical education and primary health care.

Hannu HalilaFinnish Medical Association, Finland; HANNU HALILA is a director of education and research at the Finnish Medical Association and a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology. He is also an adjunct professor of health care administration at the University of Helsinki and ex-president of UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists).

Jukka VänskäFinnish Medical Association, Finland; JUKKA VÄNSKÄ is a social scientist. He is a research chief at the Finnish Medical Association. He has published several articles on physicians’ education, employment and working conditions.

Santero KujalaFinnish Medical Association, Finland; SANTERO KUJALA is a medical counsellor and a former vice chief executive officer of the Finnish Medical Association. He is a specialist in both occupational health and in general practice.

Irma VirjoUniversity of Tampere, Finland; IRMA O. VIRJO is a specialist in general practice and former professor of general practice at the University of Tampere, retired in 2010. She has for many years been developing medical education on undergraduate and postgraduate level. She has also published several articles on medical education.

Kari MattilaUniversity of Tampere, Finland; KARI MATTILA is a professor of general practice at the University of Tampere. He is a specialist in both general practice and public health. His special interest is vocational training in primary health care and research on medical education.

show all

Abstract

Background: Choosing a medical specialty is an important element predefining a physician's career and life. Although there has been some research in this area of interest, there has not been much research where the profession has been researched as a whole, or where trend data over different generations has been presented.

Aim: The aim of our study was to ascertain the motives affecting physicians’ choice of a medical specialty.

Methods: The study cohort comprised random sample of 7758 doctors who were registered in Finland during the years 1977–2006. Altogether 4167 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 54%. An electronic questionnaire was used in data collection, supported by a traditional postal questionnaire.

Results: Of the respondents, 76% thought the diversity of the field had affected their choices of specialty considerably or very much. For physicians under 35 years old, especially the good example set by colleagues (48%), and opportunities for career development (39%) were more important motives compared to those of older physicians.

Conclusions: According to this study, diversity of the work is the main motivating factor affecting physicians’ choices of specialty. Especially, younger physicians follow the example set by more experienced colleagues.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Choosing a medical specialty – Study of Finnish doctors graduating in 1977–2006

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Choosing a medical specialty – Study of Finnish doctors graduating in 1977–2006

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature