Joining the Navy to Become a Physician: The Typical Experience

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Military Health Systems
• Physician Workforce Studies

Background:

• Limited research exists on the experiences of physicians in Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) programs.
• Understanding these experiences is crucial for physician recruitment and retention in the U.S. Navy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively describe the typical experiences of physicians within the Navy HPSP and USUHS programs.
• To identify key factors influencing career decisions and satisfaction among Navy physicians.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was administered to 63 Navy HPSP and USUHS physicians who began internships between 2008 and 2015.
• Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scales, and thematic analysis of free-text responses.

Main Results:

• 85.7% of surveyed physicians responded, reporting benefits like financial support, unique experiences, and leadership development.
• Common challenges included lack of career control, limited program knowledge, delayed residency, and difficulty securing preferred military residency slots.
• A significant percentage felt military experience provided advantages in leadership and civilian residency applications.

Conclusions:

• Navy physicians generally find the experience worthwhile, appreciating financial benefits and unique opportunities, and would serve again.
• Addressing career control limitations, improving program education, and implementing mentorship could enhance recruitment and retention.
• The study underscores the need for better support and clearer information for physicians in military medical programs.