Career Decision Making in Pediatrics: Lessons From a Novel, Medical School Pathway Program

• In Event: 25.084 - MTCC Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: 25.084-3 - Career Decisions and Identity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research about how medical students choose careers in pediatrics is limited. We explored how students with an early interest in pediatrics navigate career decisions.

METHODS: We interviewed students who applied to pediatric pathway programs (n=19) and who pursued pediatrics without a pediatric pathway option (n=6). Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively.

RESULTS: Students expressed a need to 1) honor personal values while knowing their evolving selves, and 2) stay open to phase-specific experiences, which brought information that could challenge prior perceptions. Social immersion in the clinical phase allowed students to assess goodness-of-fit between personal values and the collective identity of pediatrics.

CONCLUSION: Choosing pediatrics is complex, involving assimilating personal values and self-knowledge with phase-specific experiences.

Authors

• Rachel Gottlieb-Smith, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Patty Hobday

• Michele Long

• Carol Carraccio

• James F Bale

• Lindsey Lane

• Dorene F. Balmer, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia