Department of General Paediatrics, Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, B98 7UB, UK.
Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Sep;170(9):1193-9. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1467-9. Epub 2011 Apr 13.
Despite increasing numbers of UK medical students, the number of trainees selecting paediatrics as their specialty choice has decreased. Previous studies show that most students will choose their ultimate career during undergraduate training. We therefore explored the views of students in the final year at Birmingham University about a career in paediatrics. Students completed a 27-item questionnaire during the penultimate week of their paediatric clerkship (PC) and 97% responded (127/131). Prior to the PC, 29% (37/127) of students had considered a career in paediatrics, rising to 50% (63/127) after the PC (p < 0.001). Students felt that paediatricians were enthusiastic and keen on teaching, and the ward working atmosphere was good. However, students perceived paediatrics as a difficult specialty with high competition for training posts. Students felt their paediatric experience was too limited and advice was needed on paediatric careers early in undergraduate training. This study confirmed that focusing on improving the PC is not sufficient if we are to inspire medical students to consider a career in paediatrics. Exposure to the specialty is needed from year 1 of undergraduate training along with career advice to dispel current myths about specialty training. Students would then be able to make more informed career decisions.
尽管英国医学生的数量不断增加，但选择儿科作为专业选择的受训者人数却有所减少。先前的研究表明，大多数学生将在本科培训期间选择最终的职业。因此，我们探讨了伯明翰大学最后一年的学生对儿科职业的看法。学生在儿科实习（PC）的倒数第二周完成了一份 27 项的问卷，97%的学生（127/131）做出了回应。在 PC 之前，29%（37/127）的学生考虑过从事儿科工作，在 PC 后上升到 50%（63/127）（p < 0.001）。学生们认为儿科医生热情、热衷于教学，病房工作氛围良好。然而，学生们认为儿科是一个竞争激烈的困难专业。学生们觉得他们的儿科经验太有限了，需要在本科培训的早期就得到儿科职业方面的建议。这项研究证实，如果我们要激励医学生考虑从事儿科工作，仅仅关注改善儿科实习是不够的。需要从本科培训的第一年开始接触该专业，并提供职业建议，以消除关于专业培训的当前误解。这样，学生们将能够做出更明智的职业决策。
