Family practice specialty selection: a research agenda

Abstract

This article examines the declining interest in family practice by US medical students and trends in specialty selection over the past decade. Four factors affecting specialty choice (medical student characteristics, medical school, residencies, and certain aspects of the health care system) are discussed, and a research agenda is developed for each area. Researchers and funding agencies are urged to begin an exploration of these issues to better understand the dynamics behind current specialty choices so that successful policies to increase the number of students entering family practice can be developed.