Factors associated with medical students’ career choice in different specialties: a multiple cross-sectional questionnaire study at a German medical school

Given the shortage and unequal distribution of physicians across specialties, we aimed to evaluate factors associated with medical students’ career choices, including background, personality traits, educational experience, personal interests, lifestyle considerations, and the awareness of work requirements. We conducted multiple cross-sectional surveys of students; a 159-item online questionnaire was designed and students from three different stages of the six-year medical degree course (outset, clinical phase, and on graduation) were invited to complete the survey. Data were collected between May 2021 and April 2023. The questionnaire was sent to 1406 students, of whom 683 replied (49