The Role of Intrinsic Motivation in the Pursuit of Health Science-Related Careers among Youth from Underrepresented Low Socioeconomic Populations

Abstract

A more diverse health science-related workforce including more underrepresented race/ethnic minorities, especially from low socioeconomic backgrounds, is needed to address health disparities in the USA. To increase such diversity, programs must facilitate youth interest in pursuing a health science-related career (HSRC). Minority youth from low socioeconomic families may focus on the secondary gains of careers, such as high income and status, given their low socioeconomic backgrounds. On the other hand, self-determination theory suggests that it is the intrinsic characteristics of careers which are most likely to sustain pursuit of an HSRC and lead to job satisfaction. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for pursuing an HSRC (defined in this study as health professional, health scientist, and medical doctor) was examined in a cohort of youth from the 10th to 12th grade from 2011 to 2013. The sample was from low-income area high schools, had a B- or above grade point average at baseline, and was predominantly: African American (65.7 %) or Hispanic (22.9 %), female (70.1 %), and children of foreign-born parents (64.7 %). In longitudinal general estimating equations, intrinsic motivation (but not extrinsic motivation) consistently predicted intention to pursue an HSRC. This finding provides guidance as to which youth and which qualities of HSRCs might deserve particular attention in efforts to increase diversity in the health science-related workforce.

Exploring Attractiveness of the Basic Sciences for Female Physicians

“…Therefore, for the basic sciences, recruitment of young physicians should involve lectures and practical training that stimulates medical students' interest in the basic sciences because the thrill of discovery is the basis for career decision-making of many scientists (McGee and Keller 2007). In addition, gender, race, ethnicity, or social status may affect physicians' specialty choices (Pamies et al 1994;Lambert et al 2014;Boekeloo et al 2015). Yet, regardless of these extrinsic barriers, medical educators should make efforts to respect the interest in and curiosity of young students when they are deciding on their careers (Boekeloo et al 2015) and they should create an academic environment in which extrinsic barriers do not skew students' intrinsic motivation.…”

“…In addition, gender, race, ethnicity, or social status may affect physicians' specialty choices (Pamies et al 1994;Lambert et al 2014;Boekeloo et al 2015). Yet, regardless of these extrinsic barriers, medical educators should make efforts to respect the interest in and curiosity of young students when they are deciding on their careers (Boekeloo et al 2015) and they should create an academic environment in which extrinsic barriers do not skew students' intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation for career decisions is crucial for doctors' long-term careers (Boekeloo et al 2015).…”

Urban Youth Perceptions of Agriculture

“…Among these influencers are career self-efficacy, values, financial incentives, exposure to agriculture, and family attitudes about career choice (Boekeloo et al, 2015;Flemming & Grace, 2015;Martin, Erete, & Pinkard, 2015;Outley, 2008). Three potential barriers to enrollment of urban minorities in agriculture are the lack of (a) contact with program recruiters, (b) interest in agriculture, and (c) awareness of on-farm opportunities (Drew et al, 2015;Smith & Baggett, 2012;Dumas, 2014).…”

High School Predictors of a Career in Medicine

“…Doctors' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are important for the quality of the relationship between physician and patient (Barr, 2010;Powis, 1994). In addition, these motivation variables play a role in students' medical career aspirations (Mcharg, Mattick, & Knight, 2007) especially in Black and Hispanic students (Boekeloo, Randolph, Timmons-Brown, & Wang, 2014;Boekeloo, Jones, Bhagat, Siddiqui, & Wang, 2015). Given that some high school students do not have a grasp of the nuanced differences between various medical careers (e.g., scientific researcher, clinical physician, family doctor, etc.)…”

“…Given that some high school students do not have a grasp of the nuanced differences between various medical careers (e.g., scientific researcher, clinical physician, family doctor, etc.) they may make decisions about their career choice based on previous experiences (Todaro, Washington, Boekeloo, Gilchrist, & Wang, 2013), interactions with adults (Zebrak, Le, Boekeloo, & Wang, 2013), or on general cues (Boekeloo, Jones, Bhagat, Siddiqui, & Wang, 2015). Of these influences some may relate to intrinsic motivation by highlighting aspects of the job like helping others and working with people, or to extrinsic motivation by underscoring potential fame and making money.…”