title: First year medical student experiences with being discouraged from entering medical school.
abstract: Three hundred and fourteen first year medical students from two consecutive classes were surveyed for their experiences with being discouraged from entering medical school. Sixty-eight percent (215) had been discouraged from becoming physicians. The sources of discouragement were varied, with 43% citing physician acquaintances and 40% friends and neighbors. Parents were the principal source of encouragement (58%) followed by friends and neighbors (47%). More students (34%) were encouraged by undergraduate professors and advisors than by their family doctor (23%), a physician relative (18%), or a physician acquaintance (31%). Discouragement centered on three broad areas: diminished financial rewards, increased financial costs, and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Imperato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nayeri
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010820:Physicians; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching