Why do doctors choose a career in geriatric medicine?
Reforms to postgraduate training in the U.K. may affect recruitment to geriatric medicine. In 2005, a questionnaire survey was undertaken to determine the factors favouring geriatric medicine as a career choice and whether these might be used to influence recruitment. In all, 1036 responses to the questionnaire were received (response rate 56.4%); 4% of the respondents decided to specialise in geriatric medicine as students, 3.8% of consultants and 8.6% of registrars decided as pre-registration house officers while 39% of consultants and 7% of registrars chose geriatric medicine while a middle grade in another specialty. The strongest influences on choice were clinical aspects of the specialty (34.1%) and inspirational seniors (26.2%). However, 9.2% of consultants and 10.1% of registrars subsequently regretted their career decision. Geriatric medicine seems to be a career choice for doctors of increasing maturity and including more posts in foundation programmes may not improve recruitment as anticipated. Although a small number of doctors regretted choosing geriatric medicine as a career, this was rarely to do with core aspects of the specialty.
Briggs
Sally
S
Department of Medicine for Older People, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Poplar Grove, Stockport. sally.briggs@fsmail.net
Atkins
Recia
R
Playfer
Jeremy
J
Corrado
Oliver J
OJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003253:Consultants / Q000523:psychology; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom