[Medical student traits associated with future success as physicians].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the individual and family factors present during medical studies which are associated to success as a physician.


METHODS
Prolective case-control study.


METHODS
Mexico City metropolitan area.


METHODS
120 physicians considered to be successful and 245 physicians who according to an established criteria were considered to be non-successful.


METHODS
A success-achieving index was constructed on the opinion of 134 physicians from different health-care institutions private and public. The index was composed by criteria such as being a member of prestiged academic associations; having a practice in third level institutions; having done postgraduate studies; being a professor with teaching and research activities; having obtained directive medical positions; and a high income at the moment of the interview.


RESULTS
The main factors associated to success were: frequent attendance to cultural activities by the family of the subjects (OR = 5.2, IC 95% = 3.15-8.60, p = 0.00000001); the global score obtained during their medical studies, i.e. higher than 8.5 over 10 (OR = 4.43, IC 95% = 2.64-7.49, p = 0.00000001); and having been awarded recognitions, prizes or scholarships during their medical studies (OR = 4.3, IC 95% = 2.64-7.03, p = 0.00000001). A logistic regression model selected the cultural activities of the family, global score during medical studies and earning of recognitions, prizes and scholarships as independent variables associated to success achievement (p = 0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
Frequent cultural activities by the family and academic behavior were the factors present during medical studies which were associated to ulterior success as a physician.
Garduño-Espinosa
J
J
Unidad de Investigación Médica, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F.
Hernández-Ronquillo
L
L
Tellez-Zenteno
J F
JF
Espinosa-Morales
F
F
Campos-Castolo
M
M
Carrillo-Manríquez
L M
LM
Cuevas-Urióstegui
M L
ML
Viniegra-Velázquez
L
L
Martínez-García
M C
MC
D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D011364:Professional Practice; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires