Career Choices of Medical Graduates who Completed a Novel General Practice-Oriented Pre-Graduate Curriculum in Switzerland

Océane Corpataux, Olivier Pasche, Pierre-Yves Rodondi, Clara Podmore

Background:

Undergraduate medical training in Switzerland historically has little exposure to general practice, encouraging graduates to pursue other specialities. To address this, in 2019, the University of Fribourg introduced a new Master’s curriculum (equivalent to 4th-6th years of integrated medical programme) with substantial and regular exposure to general practice aiming to inspire more graduates to become general practitioners.

Research questions:

What is the impact of a novel general practice-oriented Master’s programme on career choices of medical graduates?

Method:

This is a repeated survey of all medical graduates from the University of Fribourg since the first class graduated in 2022. Electronic questionnaires are sent to graduates every 2 years from the final Master’s year until 10 years post-graduation. Baseline data collection started in 2024 of two graduating classes - second postgraduate year for graduating class of 2022 (n = 36) and final Master’s year for graduating class of 2024 (n = 30). Data is currently being collected for second postgraduate year for graduating class of 2023. In addition to socio-demographic data, questionnaires address postgraduate occupations, choice of speciality training and envisaged type of practice after speciality qualification. The factors influencing these career choices are also explored.

Results:

55 medical graduates (83% participation, 69% women) responded to the baseline questionnaire of graduating classes of 2024 and 2022. The majority of graduates have chosen (29%) or are considering (44%) a career in general practice. Among these graduates interested in becoming general practitioners, the most encouraging factors were pre-graduate internships and mentoring in general practice. Among graduates not considering a career in general practice, administrative burden was the most frequently reported deterrent.

Conclusions:

A strong emphasis on general practice during undergraduate years seems to play a role in encouraging medical graduates to become general practitioners. Disincentives, such as administrative burden need to be addressed to mitigate shortage of general practitioners.

Points for discussion:

What measures can be taken to address the administrative burden that discourages medical graduates from becoming general practitioners?

In your country, what initiatives have been implemented during undergraduate medical training to encourage medical graduates to pursue a career as general practitioners?

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