COVID-19 Outbreak Improves Attractiveness of Careers in Medicine in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey in High School Students and Parents

Abstract

Background: The shortage of healthcare workers is becoming a serious global problem. The underlying reasons may be specific to the healthcare system in each country. Over the past decade, medicine has become an increasingly unpopular profession in China due to the heavy workload, long-term training, and inherent risks. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed the life-saving roles of healthcare professionals under the spotlight. This public health crisis may have a profound impact on career choices in the young generation of Chinese.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based online survey on high school students and their parents from 24 provinces (or municipalities) of China. We investigated the change of interest in medical study due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the motivational factors. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation of static or dynamic interest of medical career selection with the reported number of COVID-19 cases. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was used to explore underlying motivations for selection of medical-related degrees. The logistic regression model was adopted to analyze the main factors associated with students’ choices.

Findings: A total of 21,085 students and 21,009 parents were included in the study. We observed an increased preference for medical study since the outbreak of COVID-19 in both students (17·5% to 29·6%) and parents (37·1% to 47·3%). Contribution to society and interest in medicine was rated as the main motivations. Additionally, students who were female, in the resit of graduate year and outside of Hubei province were significantly associated with a keen interest in medical study.

Interpretation: This first multi-center cross-sectional study explores the positive change and noble motivations of students’ preferences in medical study during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal study is required to determine the persistence of their choices.

Funding Statement: The Local High Level University Construction Project of Shanghai, China.

Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Institutional review board of the Fudan University School of Public Health. Informed consent was waived because the questions were answered anonymously.