Examining the impact of early longitudinal patient exposure on medical students’ career choices

Authors

  • Jason Kwok Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University
  • Vincent Wu Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3227-6442
  • Anthony Sanfilippo Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University
  • Kathryn Bowes Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University
  • Sheila Pinchin Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36752

Keywords:

medical student, career decision, longitudinal, qualitative

Abstract

Background: Medical schools include career direction experiences to help students make informed career decisions. Most experiences are short, precluding students from attaining adequate exposure to long-term encounters within medicine. We investigated the impact of the First Patient Program (FPP), which fosters longitudinal patient exposure by pairing junior medical students with chronically ill patients through their healthcare journey, in instilling career direction. 

Methods: Medical students who completed at least 6-months in the FPP participated in a cross-sectional survey. Students’ answers were analyzed with respect to the number of FPP appointments attended. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore qualitative responses.

Results: One hundred and forty-eight students participated in the survey. Only 28 (19%) students stated that the FPP informed their career decisions. Thirty-nine percent of students who attended four or more appointments indicated that the FPP informed their career decisions, compared to 16% of students who attended less (p=0.021). Thematic analysis revealed two themes: 1) Students focused mainly on patient encounters within FPP; and 2) Students sought career directions from other experiences.

Conclusion: The majority of students did not attain career guidance from the FPP, but rather used the program to understand the impact of chronic illness from the patient’s perspective.

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Published

2017-02-24

How to Cite

1.
Kwok J, Wu V, Sanfilippo A, Bowes K, Pinchin S. Examining the impact of early longitudinal patient exposure on medical students’ career choices. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2017 Feb. 24 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];8(1):e101-105. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36752

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Section

Brief Reports