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Factors influencing career choice in ophthalmology.

Noble J

Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Ontario, Canada. jason.noble@utoronto.ca

BACKGROUND: To investigate the factors influencing choice of ophthalmology as a career in medicine. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2004 National Physician Survey, a questionnaire distributed to all physicians across Canada. Data were categorized by medical discipline, and chi2 comparative analyses were done. RESULTS: Intellectual stimulation emerged as the most frequently cited factor influencing career choice for ophthalmologists and nonophthalmologists alike (81% and 79%, respectively). Compared with other physicians, ophthalmologists were significantly more likely to cite flexibility (58% vs. 42%, respectively), mentorship (42% vs. 31%, respectively), and earning potential (38% vs. 26%, respectively) as important factors (p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: Intellectual stimulation is the principal reason physicians pursue a career in ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists cite flexibility, mentorship, and earning potential as important factors more frequently than do physicians of other disciplines.

Published 3 October 2006 in Can J Ophthalmol, 41(5): 596-9.
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