Longitudinal study of career choices of a SUNY-Upstate cohort of medical students.

A SUNY-Upstate cohort was observed during the four-year matriculation (1974--1978) of the students for changes in their career choices. Medical school exposure seemed to increase students' interest in all major specialties, with the exception of family practice for which there was an overall 3% decrease. Internship and residency appointments accepted indicated that 75% entered primary care specialties, 8% more than the national average for 1978.