Influence of an office‐based internal medicine clerkship on selection of primary care training programs: A 5‐year experience

Background: Many factors influence medical students’ career choice. Purpose: Determining the influence of an office‐based component to the 3rd‐year internal medicine clerkship on selection of primary care. Methods: A prospective study using surveys and internship match information. Results: Thirty‐seven percent entered primary care; 44% completing the office‐based rotation vs. 36% of others: odds ratio (OR) = 1.6 (1.0, 2.7). Among those interested in family medicine or pediatrics, students completing the office‐based rotation were twice as likely to enter primary care as their peers: family medicine OR = 1.8 (1.1, 3.2); pediatrics OR = 2.2 (1.1, 4.4). Among those not interested in internal medicine, students completing the office‐based rotation were four times more likely to enter internal medicine than their peers: OR = 4.2 (1.6, 11.0). Conclusions: This office‐based internal medicine clerkship is associated with primary care career choice for students expressing interest in family medicine or pediatrics...