Why do doctors choose a career in geriatric medicine?

Abstract

-Reforms to postgraduate training in the UK may affect recruitment to geriatric medicine. In 2005, a questionnaire survey was undertaken to determine the factors favouring geriatric medicine as a career choice and whether these might be used to influence recruitment.In all, 1,036 responses to the questionnaire were received (response rate 56.4%); 4% of the respondents decided to specialise in geriatric medicine as students, 3.8% of consultants and 8.6% of registrars decided as pre-registration house officers while 39% of consultants and 7% of registrars chose geriatric medicine while a middle grade in another specialty. The strongest influences on choice were clinical aspects of the specialty (34.1%) and inspirational seniors (26.2%). However, 9.2% of consultants and 10.1% of registrars subsequently regretted their career decision.Geriatric medicine seems to be a career choice for doctors of increasing maturity and including more posts in foundation programmes may not improve recruitment as anticipated. Although a small number of doctors regretted choosing geriatric medicine as a career, this was rarely to do with core aspects of the specialty. KEY WORDS: career choice, geriatric medicine, recruitment IntroductionPostgraduate training has changed dramatically with the introduction of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) and the start of foundation programmes in August 2005. 1 One of the aims of foundation training is to enable trainees to experience a wider range of specialties during the early part of their career enabling them to make better informed career choices. It is hoped that foundation training may influence final career choices as doctors are expected to enter basic training upon completion of the programmes.Studies of the career choices of medical school graduates 2 have shown that about a quarter of doctors change their career choice between one and three years after qualification, and less than half consider their decision in year 3 as final. Respondents are not usually specific about a choice of specialty within hospital medicine; the small numbers of those that are, however, rarely express a preference to train in geriatric medicine. 3 Conflicting evidence exists as to whether early career choice is an accurate predictor of final career decisions. Eighty per cent of doctors who selected psychiatry three years after qualifying, for example, were still working in it 10 years later. 4 The 10th annual report of 1995 graduates performed by the BMA suggest different patterns. 5 Immediately after qualifying, 18% of graduates intended to pursue a career in general practice but 10 years later this figure rose to 35%. Conversely, in the same time frame, 20% intended to enter general medicine but this fell to just 6%.A survey of doctors currently training and working in geriatric medicine in the UK was recently undertaken to determine when they made their career decision, what the influencing factors were and whether they had any regrets. MethodsThe questionnaire was piloted on consultants and special...

Why geriatric medicine? A survey of UK specialist trainees in geriatric medicine

“…These findings run contrary to fears stated prior to the restructuring of UK medical training that, by forcing doctors to make career decisions earlier, fewer would have the opportunity to realise the potential benefits of a career in geriatric medicine [13]. The qualitative data give some insights into possible contributory factors towards this trend.…”

“…An online survey was developed taking account of previous research into career choices in geriatric medicine [10,13]. The survey was piloted with local higher medical trainees -in light of their suggestions changes were made to the phrasing of questions, the page structure within the survey and to the logic flow of the online survey.…”

“…In 2005, a survey of members of the British Geriatrics Society (the UK specialist society for healthcare professionals with an interest in the medical care of older people) [13], described factors that influenced why UK geriatricians (both trainees and consultants) had chosen to specialise in the field. The most frequently stated influences were an affinity for the clinical work of the specialty and the effect of inspirational senior colleagues.…”

Career Choice Selection and Satisfaction among US Adult Nephrology Fellows

“…Similarly a study from Canada by Zborovski et al also showed that for rheumatology, clinical experiences in the field and the mentors that they worked with affected their decision to pursue rheumatology (11). A study from the United Kingdom examining geriatric medicine as a career choice similarly showed that clinical experiences in the field and the mentors with whom they interacted favorably influenced the choice to pursue a career in geriatrics (12). Much can also be learned by examining factors that negatively influence career choice for other specialties as well.…”

Why choose a career in geriatric medicine?

“…1 Their large survey of current consultants and trainees provides a useful insight into the factors which motivate (and demotivate) doctors from deciding to work in this specialty. …”