Career intentions of U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports on career intentions of U.S medical graduate (USMG) and international medical graduate (IMG) residents who completed residency training from 2000 to 2003 in California.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 3178 responses to the Survey of Residents Completing Training in California.


RESULTS
USMGs were 86% and 14% were IMGs. IMG holders of temporary visas had the highest obligation to serve in health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and were also the most likely to serve in HPSAs (p = 0.012). Underserved residency program location (OR = 2.7, p = 0.000), HPSA obligation (OR = 5.93, p = 0.001) and postresidency training (OR = 0.561, p = 0.048) were independently predictive of practice in underserved location, HPSA or public hospital. In addition, underrepresented minorities, primary care specialty and income were independently predictive of HPSA practice.


CONCLUSIONS
In California, HPSA obligation, residency training programs characteristics and underrepresented minorities are important predictors of residents choosing to work in underserved areas.
Ogunyemi
Dotun
D
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. ogunyemid@cshs.org
Edelstein
Ron
R
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002321:Career Choice; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies