title: Factors important in the choice of a medical career: a Finnish national study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Applying for medical school is the first and also one of the most important career choices a physician makes. It is important to understand the reasons behind this decision if we are to choose the best applicants for medical schools and enable them to pursue satisfying careers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents to the Finnish Junior Physician 88, Physician 1998 and Physician 2008 studies were asked: "To what extent did the following factors influence your decision to apply for medical school?" In 1998 and 2008 the respondents were also asked: "If you were starting your studies now, would you start studying medicine?" and had to answer "Yes" or "No". The odds ratios for the answer "No" were tested using logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  "Interest in people" was the main motive for starting to study medicine. "Good salary" and "Prestigious profession" were more important motives for males and "Vocation" and "Interest in people" for females. There were some significant changes in the motives for entering medicine in the 20-year period between studies. "Vocation" and "Wide range of professional opportunities" as important motives for entering medicine predicted satisfaction with the medical profession.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strong inner motivation may indicate the ability to adapt to the demands of work as a physician.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical schools should try to select those applicants with the greatest vocational inclination towards a medical career.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Primary Health Care, Hospital District of Northern Savo, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio, FI 70029, Finland. teppo.heikkila@fimnet.fi.
authors.forename: Teppo J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Heikkilä
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio, FI 70029, Finland. harri.hyppola@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hyppölä
authors.affiliation: Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, Helsinki, FI 00501, Finland. jukka.vanska@laakariliitto.fi.
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vänskä
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, Tampere, FI 33014, Finland. tiina.aine@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aine
authors.affiliation: Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, Helsinki, FI 00501, Finland. hannu.halila@laakariliitto.fi.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Halila
authors.affiliation: Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, Helsinki, FI 00501, Finland. santero.kujala@fimnet.fi.
authors.forename: Santero
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kujala
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, Tampere, FI 33014, Finland. irma.virjo@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Virjo
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, Tampere, FI 33014, Finland. markku.sumanen@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sumanen
authors.affiliation: Centre of General Practice, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, P.O. Box 2000, Tampere, FI 33521, Finland. kari.j.mattila@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009042:Motivation; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires