Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study is to explore career perceptions of male and female medical students.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews to 16 medical students (9males, 7 females) were undertaken.
Results: Qualitative data analysis showed that development of their career perceptions were affected by “gender view”, “interests in medicine” as well as their “perceptions of family”. Specifically, female students in the lower grades felt difficulty in making decisions on career choices due to the conflict between carrying out family responsibilities (e.g., housework and childcare) and interests in medicine. After clinical clerkships, their perceptions of a career were formed in one of two ways: giving priority to family responsibilities or interest in medicine. On the other hand, male students in lower and higher grades consistently gave priority to their interests in medicine for their career choices.
Conclusion: Differing career perceptions between male and female medical students emerged from this study, and supports the need for undergraduate education on gender-equality in society.
