The Decision to Enter Medicine: Motivations, Social Support and Discouragements for Women

Responses from 93% of the women medical students enrolled in two southern medical schools in 1975-1976 indicated that wanting to serve others, desire for independence in one's work, and interest in science were strong motivations for entering medicine. These motivations also characterized men. Women, more often than men, cited the challenge of a medical career, and they showed more interest in high occupational prestige than have women medical school applicants in the past. Women reported less social support for an early decision than did their male peers. Dissatisfaction with a previous occupation frequently influenced women's choice of medicine. Although women were more likely than men to cite sources of encouragement for their decision, they were also more likely than men to have been discouraged from entering medicine.