Lack of Recognition of Internal Medicine as a Specialtycolon; A Factor in Medical Student Career Choice?

摘要

Interest among medical students in a career in internal medicine has recently declined. We propose that lack of recognition of general internal medicine as a specialty may be one factor in students' decisions to enter other fields. A survey of 300 first-year and second-year medical students at the Medical College of Georgia showed that 84percnt; of the respondents plan to specialize, yet only 49percnt; recognized general internal medicine as a specialty. Significantly higher percentages of students correctly classified six other specialties. Only family practice was less likely than internal medicine to be recognized as a specialty. Earlier recognition of general internal medicine as a specialty among students who want to specialize might result in an increased number of students entering internal medicine residency programs.