The undergraduate premedical experience in the United States: a critical review.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To better understand the consequences of the premedical years for the character of (future) physicians by critically reviewing the empirical research done on the undergraduate premedical experience in the United States.

Methods

We searched ERIC, JSTOR, PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and PsycINFO from the earliest available date for empirical, peer-reviewed studies of premedical students in the United States. We then used qualitative methods to uncover overall themes present in this literature.

Results

The initial literature search identified 1,168 articles, 19 of which were included for review. Reviewed articles were published between 1976 and 2010 with the majority published prior to 1990. Articles covered two broad topics: explaining attrition from t

SUBMITTER: Lin KY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3742104 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature