Understanding concepts of generalism and specialism amongst medical students at a research-intensive London medical school.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many prominent UK medical organisations have identified a need for more generalist clinicians to address the complex requirements of an aging society. We sought to clarify attitudes towards "Specialists" and "Generalists" amongst medical students and junior doctors at Imperial College School of Medicine.

Methods

A survey exploring medical students' beliefs was followed up by qualitative analysis of focus groups of medical students and Imperial-graduate foundation year doctors.

Results

First year medical students associated specialists with academia and higher income, and generalists with ease of training and job availability. Senior (Years 5/6) medical students associated specialists even more firmly with broader influence and academic work, whilst generali

SUBMITTER: Misky AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9017034 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature