Factors Impacting Ophthalmology Interest and Perception Among U.S. Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education
• Career Development

Background:

• Understanding medical student specialty choice is crucial for workforce planning.
• Ophthalmology faces challenges in recruiting diverse and inspired future physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the values and experiences of medical students pursuing ophthalmology.
• To inform recruitment strategies for a more diverse ophthalmology workforce.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing data from U.S. medical students (2013-2022).
• Utilized American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Matriculating Student and Graduation Questionnaires (MSQ & GQ).
• Examined personal values, medical school experiences, and resource utilization, comparing ophthalmology aspirants to other specialties.

Main Results:

• Ophthalmology students valued high income (OR 1.46) and work-life balance (OR 1.44) more, and social change (OR 0.76) less.
• Graduates pursuing ophthalmology prioritized salary (OR 1.73), family (OR 1.31), and work-life balance (OR 2.40).
• Students pursuing ophthalmology rated clerkships in internal medicine, surgery, and neurology highly, were more likely to conduct research (OR 4.75), and utilized web resources (OR 1.58) and group panels (OR 1.39) for information.

Conclusions:

• Medical students choosing ophthalmology prioritize lifestyle factors over leadership, creativity, or social change.
• Ophthalmology trainees engage in more research and rely on non-mentorship resources for career guidance.
• Refining ophthalmology's perception, emphasizing innovation, and enhancing diversity are critical for future recruitment.