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Influence of Medical Student Debt on the Decision to Pursue Careers in Primary Care.

PURPOSE: To determine if medical student debt has an effect on medical student specialty choice.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to students at 12 medical schools across the United States to assess the effect of debt on specialty choice.

RESULTS: In total, 415 students responded to the survey; 98 medical students reported that they were pursuing a primary care residency (PCR) and 250 reported that they were pursing a non-primary care residency (NPCR). There was no significant difference in average student loan debt anticipated by medical students pursing PCR and NPCR ($142,217 vs $150,784; P>0.46). Medical students pursuing a PCR reported lower estimated salaries on average than medical students pursuing NPCR ($137,711 vs $241,804; p<0.01). Of the surveyed students, 62% of students who are pursuing PCR and 77% of the students who are pursuing a NPCR would not have pursued medicine as a career if residents were responsible for paying tuition.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant difference between the student debt of medical students pursuing PCR compared to those who are pursuing a NPCR. However, a large majority of medical students would not pursue a career in medicine if faced with the responsibility of paying tuition for residency. [Full article available at https://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-07.asp, free with no login].

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