Academics of the future? A survey of final year medical students

Objective: The aim of this study was to survey fi nal year medical students at an Australian medical school about their views and experiences regarding academic medicine. Methods: A four page questionnaire was developed and administered to each group of fi nal (6th) year medical students upon completion of their psychiatry rotation. Results: For 82% clinical teaching would probably or defi nitely be part of their future careers, while 63% expected that they would undertake formal teaching. Thirty-three percent of students anticipated limited or no involvement in research. While 26% of students expected that they would undertake a higher degree, only 13% were interested in pursuing an academic career. Conclusions: The dearth of academics in medicine and in psychiatry in particular is of considerable concern. This study provides some possible avenues for further exploration to address this professional challenge.Cherrie Galletly, Anna Chur-Hansen, Tracy Air and Ian Chapma