Medical graduates (candidates) 1972-2001 from the University of Southern Denmark, Odense 2nd ed. Geographical supply and distribution, length of study, postgraduate education, specialties and main occupation.

AIM

The aim has been to create and maintain a list of all medical candidates from the University of Southern Denmark, Odense.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All medical graduates from 1972 to 2001 are included. Surveys have been performed 1997 (25) and 2000. Appr. 50% came from grammar schools in the County of Funen, 20-25% from other counties in Southern Denmark, i.e. Southern Jutland, and 15% from Copenhagen or from Northern Jutland. In the 1990'es more came from Northern Jutland.

RESULTS

The duration of the medical study increased from a modus of 6-7 years in the 1970'es to a modus of 7-8 years since 1980. About 45% became general practitioners after four to 25 years (median 14 years), one third of them in the County of Funen, and another third in Southern Jutland. In the 1997 survey 25% became consultants after 11-17 years (median 14 years), in the 2000 survey it increased to 35% after 11-25 years (median still 14 years). The cumulated death rate was 7% for the ages 30-58 years, significantly lower than that of the general population. At twenty years after graduation 85% were medical specialists, at ten years the rate was 40%. Education in anaesthesiology, ophthalmology, oto-rhino-laryngology, and oncology took less than ten years, general medicine 12 years, and 15 years for internal medicine and even longer for surgery, paediatrics, and psychiatry.

CONCLUSION

The medical school, Odense, recruits 82% of its students from Southern Denmark. Of the graduates since 1975 who became general practitioners two thirds have settled in Southern Denmark, of the consultants one half. It is not yet possible to predict when new surveys will be feasible. This article is a continuation of the study of the first survey published in Ugeskr Laeger 2000;162:1547-51 (25).