Required research by medical students and their choice of a women's health care residency.
OBJECTIVE
This study searches for association between the subject of medical students' required research projects and subsequent choices of residency, focusing specifically on women's health fields.


METHODS
Students at our school graduating between 1997 and 2004 (n = 535) were required to undertake a research project beginning in the preclinical years. The subject of their required research project was related to their subsequent choice of residency.


RESULTS
Ninety-nine of the 535 projects (18.5%) were women's health related. Although overall there was no significant relationship between the research project and residency choice, students who completed a women's health care project were nearly twice (1.8, 95% CI, 1.4-2.3) as likely to enter a women's health (obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine) residency than those who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
An association exists between student participation in women's health research beginning during preclinical years and the subsequent choice of a women's health residency.
Chongsiriwatana
Kristina M
KM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131-0001, USA. kchongsiriwatana@salud.unm.edu
Phelan
Sharon T
ST
Skipper
Betty J
BJ
Rhyne
Robert L
RL
Rayburn
William F
WF
D002755:Choice Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health