Exploring medical students' perceptions of family medicine in Kyrgyzstan: a mixed method study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite knowing that health systems with strong primary care improve overall health outcomes within a population, many countries are facing a global trend of declining interest and shortage of family doctors. This is the case of the Kyrgyz Republic, in which rural areas are struggling to attract and retain family medicine (FM) doctors. This study aims to explore how Kyrgyz medical students perceive FM and the factors that influence their specialty choice.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional explanatory sequential design, including quantitative survey and focus group discussions that were carried out at the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KSMA) in Bishkek in 2017. Overall, 66% (953 out of 1449) of medical undergraduate students registered in year 1, 4 and 6 com

SUBMITTER: Heller O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10099892 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature