Why choose pediatrics? A survey on factors influencing Chinese high school students' choice of pediatrics major.

Objectives: To understand factors associated with senior high school students' willingness to apply for pediatrics in order to inform recruitment strategies. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 9,574 high school students. The questions covered the following topics: students' intention to apply for pediatrics, personal and family information, factors impacting a student's choice of major, and cognizance of the state of pediatrics (including education and working conditions). univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to compare students with and without a clear pediatric intention and to explore influencing factors. Results: Only 6.4% (513/8,050) of senior high school students had intention to apply for pediatrics (IAP). The goal was directly tied to private and family information. Students' IAP is favorably connected with their interests and well-defined career objectives, particularly when considering COVID-19. The way that students view pediatric illnesses has an impact on their willingness as well. Students' significant decisions are influenced by their understanding of pediatrics; the more positive their perceptions are of the remuneration and working circumstances for physicians, the more probable it is that they will have an IAP. Conclusion: This survey reveals the hesitancy of high school students in selecting pediatrics as their career path and explores potential contributing factors. Furthermore, these findings offer insights into the development of healthcare services in emerging economies.