Future practice profiles of Canadian medical trainees.

PURPOSE

To investigate the future practice profiles of Canadian medical trainees.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the 2004 National Physician Survey, a questionnaire distributed to medical students, residents and physicians across Canada. Data were categorized by level of training and chi-square comparative analyses were done.

RESULTS

The majority of trainees (about 64%) expressed plans to practice in the location in which they were training, with approximately 12% planning on practicing in another country. Family medicine (FM) residents were more likely to express wishes to practice in their location of training when compared to medical students and specialty residents.

CONCLUSIONS

The location of training directly affects the future practice plans of Canadian medical trainees. Retaining specialist physicians may represent a challenge in the future.