Selection of primary care as a medical career: demographic and psychosocial correlates

A study analyzing demographic and psychosocial correlates associated with the selection of primary care as a medical career was conducted on 357 physicians who were graduated from medical school between 1963 and 1966. Results suggest that individuals who were reared in smaller communities, who were among the younger siblings of their family, and who exhibited a strong pattern of socialization at home and school tended to choose a primary care specialty. The findings also suggest that if all other factors are equal and if production of primary care physicians is an important goal, medical school admission committees might consider including cross-validated psychosocial and demographic variables in selecting applicants to medical schools.