Attitude of medical students to future practice characteristics

In November 1990, 14.5% of the 271 medical students of the Gonder College of Medical Science (G.C.M.S.), Gonder, Ethiopia, were of peasant background. Only 10.2% of the 271 expressed willingness to serve for more than two years in the rural areas after graduation, and, of those not willing, a higher proportion (15.5%) were from the main towns than from rural areas (1.2%). Specialty choice of senior students showed obstetrics-gynaecology, other specialties such as dermatology, internal medicine and surgery as the most preferred career goals. In addition, 67.2% of the students agreed that there is a greater need for physicians in rural than urban settings, agreement being six times more frequent by Clinical Year I students than interns (referent group). Among twelve personal and professional variables suggested, continuing education, schools for children, and private practice were considered better in urban than in rural areas. The study has important implications for medical education.