Purpose

The medical profession has been regarded as a vocation, valued both socially and economically. This study explored the importance of high-paying profession as a motive for applying to medical school between 1988 and 2023, and its relation to physicians’ postgraduate training goals.

Material and Methods

The data comprised of eight repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in five-year intervals from 1988 to 2023. Respondents graduated 2 to 11 years before each survey (total n = 11 638; min 1177−max 1795 per survey; average response rate 55%). The association between valuing high-paying profession and pursuing professional or scientific postgraduate education was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression.

Major Findings

A smaller proportion of those who entered medical studies motivated by the prospect of a high-paying profession engaged in doctoral research (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.89−0.97) and specialization (OR 0.88; LV 0.78−0.98) compared to those motivated by other reasons. Men were more likely than women to specialize within 2 to 11 years after graduation (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.47−1.70), and male gender also increased the likelihood of pursuing scientific postgraduate education (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.53−1.82).

Conclusions

A growing emphasis on income among applicants could increase the shortage of specialists and reduce the number of physicians engaging in scientific research.

Plain Language Summary

The study explores the increasing importance of a high-paying profession as a factor in choosing a career in medicine.

Why was the Study Done?

Traditionally, medicine has been regarded as a vocation, valued both socially and economically. In recent years, however, a good salary has become an increasingly more important motivator. At the same time, public healthcare struggles with financial pressures and workforce shortages.

What did the Researchers do?

The researchers reviewed eight consecutive surveys conducted at five-year intervals and studied the importance of high-paying profession as a motivation for applying to medical school and whether it is related to the physicians’ professional or scientific postgraduate education goals.

What did the Researchers Find?

High-paid profession as an important factor in applying to medical school was later associated with decreased interest in scientific postgraduate education and specialization. Male gender increased both the likelihood of postgraduate scientific education and specialization.

What do the Findings Mean?

A growing emphasis on income among applicants for medical school could increase the shortage of specialists and reduce the number of physicians engaging in scientific research.