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Have predictors of obstetrics and gynecology career choice among contemporary US medical graduates changed over time?

McAlister RP, Andriole DA, Rowland PA, Jeffe DB

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. mcalisterr@wustl.edu

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify predictors of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) specialty choice among US medical graduates over time. STUDY DESIGN: We examined OBGYN specialty choice for its association with 16 items on the 1997, 2000, and 2004 AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (GQ). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of OBGYN specialty choice for each year. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent of US graduates completed the GQ in the 3 years studied. Fewer responders chose OBGYN over time (1997, 8.2%; 2000, 6.5%; 2004, 6.2%). Women, blacks, and graduates with more positive ratings of the OBGYN clerkship were more likely to choose OBGYN in each year (each P < .001). Graduates reporting more positive beliefs about the practice of medicine and preferring academic careers were less likely to choose OBGYN (each P < .05). CONCLUSION: Predictors of OBGYN specialty choice from among the GQ variables tested have remained stable over time, but with a smaller pool of likely applicants.

Published 9 March 2007 in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 196(3): 275.e1-7.
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