Factors determining the choice of a career in geriatrics among students in geriatric in-hospital training: a single-center prospective study of 74 students
Abstract Background: To understand the reasons for the lack of attractiveness of the Diploma of Specialized Studies (DSS) in Geriatrics (DSSG), we conducted a study to identify the factors influencing medical students’ choice of their future specialty. In addition, we assessed the impact of in-hospital training (IHT) in the departments of our geriatric center on the students’ choice of their future specialty.Methods: We included all students who passed an IHT course in the geriatric center of our university hospital between 1 May 2018 and 31 October 2018. The data were collected using a questionnaire in two parts: one given before the IHT and the other after. The students were classified into two groups: those considering a career in geriatrics before IHT (GDSSG+) and those not considering it (GDSSG−). Results: Seventy-four students, aged a mean 22 years, were included. Of these students, 26%, were considering the possibility of a career in geriatrics before the IHT course (GDSSG+). This rate significantly increased to 42% after IHT (p=0.04). However, none of the students in GDSSG+ preselected geriatrics as their first option; general medicine was the most frequent option.For more than 92% of the students, the comprehensive care of geriatric patients was an asset. The main drawbacks were diagnostic and therapeutic limitations for 60% of the students, and managing aging, disability, and major neurocognitive disorders (MNCD) for 55%. After IHT, the view of geriatrics improved by 74%.Conclusion: Geriatric IHT improves students' opinions of geriatrics and significantly increases the number of students considering a potential career in geriatrics. However, geriatrics still suffers from a lack of prestige.