[Qualitative analysis of interns' decision-making process of selecting respiratory medicine as their specialty].
BACKGROUND
Because there is a shortage of pulmonologists in Japan, it is crucial to understand interns' decision-making process of selecting respiratory medicine as their specialty.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were to illustrate the process in which residents pursue the specialty of respiratory medicine and to establish a strategic springboard that may encourage more residents to select respiratory medicine as their specialty.


METHODS
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was performed. Eleven doctors who had selected respiratory medicine were recruited. We measured categories which constitute the process of career choice.


RESULTS
The present analysis of 11 interviews produced three main categories that influenced residents' career decision. Those were "ambiguous preference for respiratory medicine", "triggers for interests on respiratory medicine", and "comparisons and contemplations among specialties". "Triggers for interests" were as follows: experiencing effectual mentorship in respiratory medicine, being impressed with pulmonologists' daily practice, taking an interest in anatomy and physiology, and exposing themselves to clinical practice repeatedly. Through "comparisons and contemplations among specialties", the interviewees recognized respiratory medicine as attractive, because of its close association with other internal medicine disciplines, the comprehensive diagnostic process, and the diversity of respiratory diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Experiencing enthusiastic mentorship, being impressed with pulmonologists' daily practice, and realizing profoundness of respiratory medicine influenced the decision-making process.
Nishio
Chihiro
C
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Minami-Kyoto Hospital.
Hajiro
Takashi
T
Nagao
Taishi
T
Ito
Masami
M
Sakaguchi
Chikara
C
Nakano
Yasutaka
Y
D002321:Career Choice; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine