Exploring the Validity of an Instrument That Measures Final Year Medical Students' Career Choice Preferences

The influences on medical graduates' career choices and destinations are varied but not well quantified. This study aimed to explore the validity of an instrument that measures the factors that influence Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) medical students' career choices.

The Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) questionnaire containing 24 question items entitled "Factors Influencing Career Choice" (FICC) section was psychometrically analyzed. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to identify underlying constructs associated within these question items. This was followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), conducted on a subsequent cohort to confirm the validity of the identified factor structure.

The EFA (n=300) identified four main factors: Placement Experiences, Work Flexibility, Vocational Characteristics, and Finances and Rewards. The CFA (n=343) confirmed the same factor structure. A parsimonious factor structure was achieved after modification of indices and removal of nine items that did not contribute to enhancing the model fit. Two of the four fit indices were within acceptable limits, indicating a reasonable fit of the factor structure. The four factors identified in this study are conceptually consistent with published literature on medical students' career choices.

The current FICC section of MSOD questionnaire is useful in identifying key factors influencing NZ students' career choice. Items removed in the CFA model indicate possible issues underlying the current wording of the item stems, obscuring the effectiveness of the questionnaire. Future research to enhance the scope and sensitivity of the current FICC section can further improve the utility of this tool in informing curriculum developments and shaping the needs of the future medical workforce.