Medical school factors and career choice of psychiatry

Using questionnaires sent to training directors, the author examined the relationships between 35 medical school variables and selection of psychiatry by students. The results indicate that there are complex but significant relationships between medical school factors and choice of psychiatry. Variables most strongly predictive of recruitment are the academic rank of the director, the in-house prestige of the department of psychiatry, and the receipt of a teaching award by the director. These findings suggest that the role of the director is crucial for recruitment and that departmental efforts which augment the prestige of the department should enhance recruitment.