FACTORS INFLUENCING MEDICAL CAREER CHOICE AND THEIR IMPACT ON STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Medical career choice is influenced by factors such as vocation, family influence, financial stability, and social prestige, which can impact the mental health of students. This research aimed to conduct an integrative review of the motivations influencing the choice of a medical career, analyze their impacts on mental health, and investigate the individual, social, and academic factors associated with this choice. We utilized Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane, searching descriptors related to medical profession choice and mental health. Two independent researchers selected articles using the Rayyan software. A total of 1,591 articles were identified, with 28 selected for analysis. The main motivational factors for career choice were altruism and family influence. Nineteen studies explored symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and burnout. An increase in female participation in medicine and the challenges faced, such as balancing professional and personal life, were noted. The COVID-19 pandemic increased altruistic interest, but also stress and academic dropout rates. Some studies reported that career idealizations can lead to frustration. The motivations for choosing a medical career are influenced by a complex interplay of personal, social, and academic factors, such as altruism, perception of medicine as a stable and financially rewarding career, and the desire to make a difference in people's lives. The methodological diversity, covering different populations and countries, hinders generalized conclusions and suggests the need for studies involving diverse populations.