MD - Medical Doctors, Major Decisions: A Qualitative Investigation of the Medical Specialty Decision-Making Process

Abstract

In order to become a practicing physician in the U.S., every medical student must select their own specialty. This thesis investigates that process of differentiation, the specialty decision-making process. After reviewing the relevant background and literature on specialization in medical school, I discuss and analyze the interviews I conducted with 55 individuals in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School community-33 third and fourth year medical students, nine residents, and 13 attendings and faculty members. These interviews revealed the most prevalent factors medical students consider as they make their specialty choices, as well as their reflections on the decision-making process and the strategies they used to navigate their options. Participants also divulged their opinions on the potential of free tuition to transform the specialization process, New York University School of Medicine's recent announcement to implement free tuition, and ways to address the primary care shortage in America.