Evolution of professional expectations among medical students at a Peruvian university: A six-year longitudinal study

The evolution of professional expectations among medical students appears to be dynamic and variable throughout their academic journey. However, the evidence we have about this evolution comes mostly from transversal studies, or without proper following of a group of students. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the professional expectations of a consistent cohort of medical students from a Peruvian university throughout their undergraduate education.

We conducted an analytical longitudinal study on medical students from a Peruvian university. We administered a questionnaire designed by the LIRHUS network to students from the same graduating group over 6 years in three temporal cohorts (at the beginning, the end of basic sciences, and the end of clinical sciences). The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables and professional expectations.

Of the initially surveyed 89 students, 52 remained until the end of the follow-up period. Of these, 57.7% were female. The majority anticipated pursuing a specialization from the beginning to the end (96.2% → 94.2%), with a decrease in those aspiring to do so abroad (56.0% → 20.4%) (p < 0.001) and an increase in surgical specialties (30% → 51%) (p < 0.05). There was a decline in the intentions to work in primary care (73.1% → 44.2% → 53.8%) and research (75% → 69.2% → 48.1%).

Among the evaluated students, the intention to pursue a specialization prevails, with a shift in preference for surgical fields. However, there is a decrease in the intention to migrate and to work in primary care and research.