TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics of graduating US allopathic medical students pursuing a career in neurology
AU - Gutmann, Laurie
AU - Cahill, Carolyn
AU - Jordan, Justin T.
AU - Gamaldo, Charlene E.
AU - Santini, Veronica
AU - Ali, Imran
AU - Soni, Madhu
AU - Wilson, Rujuta B.
AU - Said, Rana
AU - Czeisler, Barry M.
AU - Smith, A. Gordon
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by the AAN and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (grant 20150396).
Funding Information:
L. Gutmann has research funding from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)/NIH. C. Cahill is an employee of the AAN. J. Jordan has research funding from the Department of Defense, NIH, and Burke Foundation. C. Gamaldo receives royalties as a contributing author to Up-to-Date. V. Santini reports no disclosures relevant to the manuscript. I. Ali is a board member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a consultant for Guidepoint Global, GLG Advisors, and Best Doctors. M. Soni reports no disclosures relevant to the manuscript. R. Wilson receives research funding from NIH. R. Said and B. Czeisler reports no disclosure relevant to the manuscript. A. Gordon Smith has research funding from NINDS and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Go to Neurology. org/N for full disclosures.
Funding Information:
This study was funded by a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) (principal investigator A.G.S.). The grant supported the data collection and analysis for this study, as well as resources to support the development of programs and initiatives to increase student interest in neurology. The AAN has provided matching budgetary support for these efforts.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Academy of Neurology.
PY - 2019/4/23
Y1 - 2019/4/23
N2 - ObjectivesTo identify factors associated with medical students becoming neurologists because, despite the increasing burden of neurologic disorders, there is a growing neurologist shortage.MethodsDeidentified data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) and Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) were obtained for the graduation years 2013 to 2014 through 2016 to 2017. Logistic regression was used to assess demographic characteristics and responses to training and career-related questions in association with specialty choice (intent to enter neurology).ResultsOf the 51,816 students with complete data, 1,456 (2.8%) indicated an intent to enter a neurology residency. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of entering neurology were a student's rating of excellent for their basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship, participation in an MD/PhD program, majoring in neuroscience or psychology as an undergraduate, a selection response of "content of the specialty was a strong influence on career choice," and indicating interest in neurology on the MSQ. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of entering neurology were a higher-priority response on the GQ for salary, work/life balance, and personal fit of the specialty.ConclusionData from surveys at the entry into and graduation from medical school suggest several approaches to increase the number of medical students entering neurology, including a focus on the student-reported quality of the basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkships, targeted engagement with MD/PhD students, and mentoring programs for students interested in neurology. Efforts to improve salaries for neurologists, to reduce medical school debt, and to improve work/life balance may also help to attract more students.
AB - ObjectivesTo identify factors associated with medical students becoming neurologists because, despite the increasing burden of neurologic disorders, there is a growing neurologist shortage.MethodsDeidentified data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ) and Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) were obtained for the graduation years 2013 to 2014 through 2016 to 2017. Logistic regression was used to assess demographic characteristics and responses to training and career-related questions in association with specialty choice (intent to enter neurology).ResultsOf the 51,816 students with complete data, 1,456 (2.8%) indicated an intent to enter a neurology residency. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of entering neurology were a student's rating of excellent for their basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship, participation in an MD/PhD program, majoring in neuroscience or psychology as an undergraduate, a selection response of "content of the specialty was a strong influence on career choice," and indicating interest in neurology on the MSQ. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of entering neurology were a higher-priority response on the GQ for salary, work/life balance, and personal fit of the specialty.ConclusionData from surveys at the entry into and graduation from medical school suggest several approaches to increase the number of medical students entering neurology, including a focus on the student-reported quality of the basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkships, targeted engagement with MD/PhD students, and mentoring programs for students interested in neurology. Efforts to improve salaries for neurologists, to reduce medical school debt, and to improve work/life balance may also help to attract more students.
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U2 - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007369
DO - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007369
M3 - Article
C2 - 30926683
AN - SCOPUS:85065108689
SN - 0028-3878
VL - 92
SP - E2051-E2063
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
IS - 17
ER -