Article

Knowledge of final-year medical students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal about family medicine, and long-term career choices

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 61 , issue 1 , 2019 , pages: 5–10

DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2018.1504865

Author(s): R Omed Ali Department of Family Medicine, South Africa , AJ Ross Department of Family Medicine, South Africa , TC Nkabinde Department of Family Medicine, South Africa

Keywords: family medicine , final-year students , medical student career choices , perceptions of family medicine , specialty choices , undergraduate family medicine

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Abstract

Background: While international experience suggests that well-trained primary care physicians improve the quality and cost effectiveness of health care, family medicine (FM) as the discipline of the specialist primary care physician appears to not be an attractive career for medical graduates in South Africa (SA). The aim of this study was to establish final-year medical students’ knowledge about FM and its relevance to the healthcare system, explore their perceptions of the discipline’s relevance, and identify their specialty preference.

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