[Attitudes of Tunisian medical students to medical practice: gender differences]

ABSTRACT

To better understand the impact of gender change in medical practice on health care in Tunisia, we conducted a cross-sectional study on the attitudes of 512 medical students [40% female] to medicine and medical practice in the Faculty of Medicine, Sousse. Female students attached more value than males to the intrinsic aspects of a physician's job, such as the desire to help others and to work with people. Regarding the dimensions of comprehensive care [psychosociological aspects of care, health education, patient-centred approach and medical prevention], there were wide differences between men and women. At the end of their training cycles, both male and female students ascribed less importance to these aspects than in the beginning