Evaluation of Medical Career-Counseling Resources Across Canada

Abstract

Background: North American medical school accreditation requires career counseling. Purpose: The Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) MedCAREERS program was implemented in 2000 before published evidence of efficacy of Canadian medical school career-counseling programs existed. Methods: Data were gathered initially through the Canadian Residency Matching Service Post-Match Survey in 2003 and subsequently through the Canadian Graduation Questionnaire from 2006 to 2008. The overall response rate was 61%. Perceived benefits and efficacy of the MUN MedCAREERS Web site and several career-counseling resources were determined along with participation rates encompassing a 6-year period. Results: Most career-counseling resources were perceived as helpful, regardless of participation rate. Conclusions: Our goal was to provide information on an array of career-counseling resources so that Canadian medical schools can avail of appropriate resources and select activities to help students make informed decisions about their specialty choice. Planners of career-counseling activities may wish to consider elements that students find most helpful.

Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Sandra Banner, Executive Director, Canadian Medical Residency Matching Service, and Mr. Jason Cantow, Educational Data Analyst, Academic Affairs, Association of American Medical Colleges, for their support in the collection of our data.