Joining the Navy to Become a Physician: The Typical Experience

The decision to enter the Navy as a physician is a major career choice. However, there are no published studies that address the typical Navy physician's experience in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) programs. The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe the typical Navy physician's experience in the HPSP and USUHS programs.

An anonymous online survey containing 47 questions was distributed to 63 Navy HPSP and USUHS physicians who started internships from 2008 to 2015. Participants were chosen by using purposeful, criterion, and snowball sampling methods with whom the author had a professional relationship during his military experience. The survey data were plotted in Excel spreadsheets and graphs according to six sub-research questions. Mean, SD, Likert scale 1-5, and grouping of free text responses were recorded.

A total of 54 out of 63 Navy physicians (85.7%) responded to the survey. Navy physicians got their first-choice residency selection of 67.3% of the time, 34.6% went straight through residency without interruptions, 44.2% answered definitely or probably that military match changed their residency selection compared to them applying for civilian residency, and 46.2% answered definitely or probably that it was more difficult to get into military versus civilian residency. Participants answered definitely or probably that military experience puts them ahead of civilians in terms of leadership (82.7%), prior medical experience (46.2%), and applying for civilian residency (76.2%). Common positive themes of free-text answers included having financial stability, unique life experiences, and serving their country. Common negative themes included lack of career control, lack of knowledge regarding HPSP/USUHS programs, and delay in residency and career.

The principal findings in this study are that most Navy physicians favored paid medical school/financial support, working overseas and in unique operational climates, having unique life experiences, leadership skills, and prior military experience put them ahead of their civilian colleagues, thought the Navy experience was worth it, and would join again if given the opportunity. However, most Navy physicians had a lack of career control due to needs of the Navy, lack of knowledge regarding residency selection, operational billets, and active duty service obligation, had more difficulty getting into a military residency of their choice versus civilians, and had interrupted residency training/training delays. The Navy would possibly benefit from a nationwide HPSP/USUHS physician mentorship program and an educational seminar to increase medical student applicant knowledge, which may improve recruiting and retention.