Lifestyle Factors and Other Influences on Medical Students Choosing a Career in Emergency Medicine

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine which lifestyle factors influence medical students who choose a career in emergency medicine (EM). Methods Final‐year medical students from 10 medical schools were surveyed after the National Residency Match Program match but prior to graduation regarding preferred medical specialty and lifestyle preferences. Responses from students pursuing EM regarding importance of lifestyle factors were compared to students interested in other specialties. Results A total of 453 of 1,575 invited medical students completed an electronic survey. EM was the third most preferred specialty. Students selecting EM were less likely to endorse “having control of work schedule” as being important (p