Impact of financial background and student debt on postgraduate residency choices of medical students in Singapore
Singapore medical journal
; : 647-651, 2018.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-777554
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION@#Medical school fees are rising globally. Student debt and financial background may affect residency choices, but few studies have been conducted in Asia. This study aimed to explore the relationship between financial background, student debt and postgraduate residency choices among medical students in Singapore.@*METHODS@#An anonymised survey of all medical students in Singapore was conducted and had a response rate of 67.9%.@*RESULTS@#40.5% of our study population would graduate with debt. Medical students with monthly per capita household income < SGD 1,000 were more likely to graduate with debt (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-2.7; p < 0.001) and feel burdened by the cost of medical education (unadjusted OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0-3.9; p < 0.001). Students with monthly per capita household income < SGD 1,000 (unadjusted OR 1.818, 95% CI 1.338-2.470, p < 0.001; adjusted OR 1.692, 95% CI 1.202-2.381, p = 0.003) and those with debt (unadjusted OR 1.623, 95% CI 1.261-2.090, p < 0.001; adjusted OR 1.393, 95% CI 1.048-1.851, p = 0.022) were more likely to rank at least one economic factor as 'very significant' in influencing their postgraduate training choices.@*CONCLUSION@#It is concerning that despite financial aid schemes, the cost of medical education remains a burden to students from lower-income households in Singapore. Student debt and financial background may distort postgraduate career choices, creating an undue push towards high-paying specialties.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Schools, Medical
/
Singapore
/
Social Class
/
Students, Medical
/
Training Support
/
Career Choice
/
Odds Ratio
/
Choice Behavior
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Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Economics
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Singapore medical journal
Year:
2018
Type:
Article