Willingness to practice medicine and related influential factors among Medical Undergraduates during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Medical undergraduates are the future workforce, and their job preferences can directly impact the quality of healthcare services in China, especially during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We aim to understand the status of the willingness to practice medicine among medical undergraduates and to analyze the related influential factors. Methods During the COVID-19 epidemic, we conducted a cross-sectional survey from 15 February 2022 to 31 May 2022 through an online platform to collect information about characteristics, psychology, and motivations for the career choice. The general self-efficacy scale (GSES) was used to assess medical students’ self-efficacy perceptions. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse influencing factors of willingness to practice medicine. Results A total of 2348 valid questionnaires were included, and 1573 (66.99%) were willing to practice medicine for medical undergraduates after graduation. The mean GESE scores in the willingness group (2.87 ± 0.54) were significantly higher than those in the unwillingness group (2.73 ± 0.49). The multiple logistic regression showed that several factors were positively associated with willingness to practice medicine as a career, including students’ GSES score (OR = 1.72), personal ideals (OR = 2.04), family support (OR = 1.48), high income (OR = 1.81), and social respect (OR = 2.14). Compared with those very afraid of COVID-19, students who were not afraid at all had a higher preference for choosing the medical profession as a career. In addition, students thinking of high tension in the doctor-patient relationship, heavy workload, and long training were less likely to choose medical work after graduation. Conclusions There was a relatively high level of willingness to practice medicine among medical undergraduates after graduation. Psychological factors, personal preferences, career needs or preferences, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with this willingness.