Factors associated with interest in psychiatry in UK medical students: qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Aims and method

This study aimed to explore factors that positively influence UK medical students' interest in psychiatry. Delegates and committee members of the National Student Psychiatry Conference 2018 were invited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews. Nine interviews were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four core themes emerged: psychiatry education and exposure, role of a psychiatrist, fitting in, and factors external to medical school. All students had some degree of interest in mental health before medical school, but placement and extra-curricular factors were strongly influential.

Implications

Interest in psychiatry may be promoted by facilitating student exposure to enthusiastic psychiatrists and

SUBMITTER: Crowley G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10028548 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature