ArticleBMC medical education2026
Not just a calling: the psychological logic of medical specialty preferences among second-year medical students in Poland.
Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe choice of medical specialty does not arise solely from a sense of calling, but is a complex psychological and social process. The goal of the study was to examine whether selected psychological characteristics: emotional intelligence (EI; overall score and the dimensions of recognizing and using emotions) and sense of coherence (SOC; overall score and the dimensions of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness), together with indicators of student functioning (study-related satisfaction, study-related stress, peer relationships, financial status), are associated with medical students’ declared specialty choice (procedural vs. non-procedural) as well as with their preferences for commonly chosen specialties.
methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 s-year medical students at Medical University in Gdańsk, Poland. Standardized tools were used to measure EI (Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - INTE - Polish version of Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test), SOC (Sense of Coherence Scale - SOC-29) and self-developed survey to assess academic experiences (study-related satisfaction and stress, peer relationships, financial status). Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression.
resultsHigher overall EI was associated with a preference for non-procedural specialties. The ability to recognize emotions was negatively associated with choosing paediatrics and non-procedural specialties. Higher study satisfaction favoured a preference for paediatrics and non-procedural specialties. A preference for plastic surgery was associated with higher overall EI and lower overall SOC, whereas a preference for endocrinology was associated with better self-reported peer relationships.
conclusionsMedical students’ specialty preferences are associated with psychological factors and academic experiences. The results may support career counselling and mentoring programs, helping students make more informed career decisions.
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