Canada's future physicians: Clinicians, researchers or teachers?

Mark O. Baerlocher

doi:10.1503/cmaj.051598

Almost two-thirds of medical students who responded to the 2004 CFPC/ CMA/ RCPSC National Physician Survey said they hoped to include teaching in their future careers, and nearly one-third hoped to include research (Fig. 1). The proportion of students who expressed an interest in these activities was greater than the proportion of practising physicians (family physicians and specialists combined) who actually participate in teaching and research. However, compared with specialists who participate in these activities, the proportion of students was lower. Nevertheless, the high level of interest among medical students in both research and teaching is encouraging, since these activities tend to have a negative impact on income.

Fig. 1: Proportion of medical students (n = 2688) who stated their plan to incorporate patient care, teaching and research into their future careers, compared with proportion of family physicians (n = 10 632) and specialists (n = 9701) participating in those activities. Source: 2004 CFPC/ CMA/RCPSC National Physician Survey.

Fig. 2 shows the breakdown of the students' preferences for their future career involvement by medical school. Students from the University of Western Ontario, the University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University were especially interested in both research and teaching, whereas those from Université de Sherbrooke and the University of Saskatchewan were least interested.

Fig. 2: Proportion of medical students (n = 2714) who stated their plan to incorporate research and teaching into their future practices, by medical school. Source: 2004 CFPC/CMA/RCPSC National Physician Survey.