title: Sex differences in student preference for family medicine.
abstract: Differences between male and female students at the University of Washington School of Medicine in their choices of family medicine specialization were examined over a ten-year period. Specialty choices during the second year of medical school were compared to later residency selections. Women showed a significantly stronger early preference for family practice but were less likely to select a family medicine residency than their male counterparts. Although the magnitude of the differences was modest, the possible decline in interest among a group of students who intuitively seem particularly suited to this specialty appears worthy of note. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D012737:Sex Factors