ArticleBMJ open2017
Motivation of Dutch high school students from various backgrounds for applying to study medicine: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers.
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26 citing papers in PubMed.
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- Why choose pediatrics? A survey on factors influencing Chinese high school students' choice of pediatrics major.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
- Improving selection procedures in health professions education from the applicant perspective: an interview study.BMC medical education · 2024Article
- The substitution effect of financial and non-financial incentives at different income levels in physician recruitment: evidence from medical students in China.BMC medical education · 2024Article
- Widening the Gates: Redefining Excellence in Selection for Health Professions Education for a Diverse Future Workforce.Perspectives on medical education · 2024Article
- Medicine as a career choice: a comprehensive study on factors influencing Sudanese students to opt in/out medical career.BMC medical education · 2023Article
- The added value of free preparatory activities for widening access to medical education: a multi-cohort study.BMC medical education · 2023Article
- Applicant perceptions of selection methods for health professions education: Rationales and subgroup differences.Medical education · 2023Article
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- Calling situated: a survey among medical students supplemented by a qualitative study and a comparison with a surveyed sample of physicians.BMC medical education · 2022Article
- Background factors associated with academic motivation for attending medical school immediately after admission in Japan: A single-center study.Journal of general and family medicine · 2022Article
- COVID-19 outbreak improves attractiveness of medical careers in Chinese senior high school students.BMC medical education · 2022Article
- Students' intentions to practice primary care are associated with their motives to become doctors: a longitudinal study.BMC medical education · 2022Article
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- Which disadvantaged students study medicine? Analysis of an English outreach scheme.Health science reports · 2021Article
- An investigation of the intention and reasons of senior high school students in China to choose medical school.BMC medical education · 2021Article
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4 authors.
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Abstract
objectiveTo explore high school students' motivation for applying to study medicine and the factors that influence this. To find explanations for under-representation of minority students in medical education, descriptions of motivation of students with different background characteristics were compared.
designQualitative phenomenological study using semistructured one-on-one interviews.
settingOne predominantly white and one mixed high school in a large multicultural city in the Netherlands. The study was conducted in March-December 2015.
participantsTwenty-four high school students, purposively sampled for demographic characteristics.
methodsThe analysis consisted of the coding of data using a template based on the motivation types (autonomous and controlled motivation) described by self-determination theory and open coding for factors that influence motivation.
resultsThe main reasons for pursuing a medical career pertained to autonomous motivation (interest in science and helping people), but controlled motivation (eg, parental pressure, prestige) was also mentioned. Experiences with healthcare and patients positively influenced students' autonomous motivation and served as a reality check for students' expectations. Having to go through a selection process was an important demotivating factor, but did not prevent most students from applying. Having medical professionals in their network also sparked students' interest, while facilitating easier access to healthcare experiences.
conclusionsThe findings showed a complex interplay between healthcare experiences, growing up in a medical family, selection processes and motivation. Healthcare experiences, often one of the selection criteria, help students to form autonomous motivation for studying medicine. However, such experiences as well as support in the selection process seem unequally accessible to students. As a result, under-represented students' motivation decreases. Medical schools should be aware of this and could create opportunities to acquire healthcare experiences. High schools could incorporate internships as part of their study counselling programmes and offer tailor-made guidance to each individual student.
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