title: Factors Associated with the Nature, Timing and Stability of the Specialty Career Choices of Recently Graduated Doctors in European Countries, a Literature Review.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with the choice of a spe-cialty, the moment of the definitive choice, and the stability of the choice over time. The focus was on recently graduated doctors in European countries. A review of the literature from October 1994 to October 2004 was conducted. Most of the identified studies were of good quality. Enthusiasm, self-appraisal of skills, human interest and domestic circumstances were the main factors associated with the choice for medical specialization. Female doctors paid a great deal of attention to reasonable working hours and part-time jobs. They were also less certain about their career choice, and made this choice later than men. Most doctors with a preference for general practice at the time of qualification as a medical doctor achieved their aim. Women, who preferred a clinical specialization, had less opportunity than men to achieve their career satisfactorily.
authors.affiliation: a VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M B M
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Soethout
authors.affiliation: b University Medical Center Utrecht The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Th J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ten Cate
authors.affiliation: c VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van der Wal
keywords: Medical graduate; career choice; career preference; medical specialty