Earning opportunities and informal payment as influencing factors in medical students’ speciality choice

• DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01608-4
• Publication Date: 2021-12-30T08:02:28Z
• Authors: András Mohos; Thomas Frese; László Kolozsvári; József Rinfel; Albert Varga; Csenge Hargittay; Dalma Csatlós; Péter Torzsa
• Keywords: Salary; Family income

Abstract Background The Hungarian primary care system faces a severe shortage of family physicians. Medical students’ perceptions medicine need to be known and medical students given appropriate comprehensible information about this speciality. expected future salary is an important factor in career choice. Most the doctors are self-employed practices have corrected capitation-type financing. Although majority health services covered by social insurance provided for insured patients free charge, informal payment existing phenomenon with different motivations consequences. This study aimed investigate knowledge their earning opportunities attitudes towards payment. Methods A cross sectional survey self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Each four universities were represented who attended lectures person from December 2019 April 2020. asked plans, estimations current ideal salaries effect income choice specialisation. Their assessed. Results Response rate 67.3% ( N = 465/691). Almost two-thirds participants women. Only 5% respondents 23/462) plan work as doctor future. vast (91.9%) had already thought income. On 10-point Likert scale (1 ‘no influence’, 10 ‘very big influence’) 76% answered that exerts considerable (≥5 points) influence on general. mean monthly residents, GPs other specialists €1154 ± 648, €1696 904 €2174 1594, respectively. GP, estimated studenst, €1140 rural €1122 urban settings. More than four-fifths 375/453) rejected practice Conclusions Expected salaray one aspect students, wish more topic. reported incomes higher those expected. points relevant gap. However, most do not accept possibility close differ real – indicates bringing objectoive enhance attractivity GP carer