“I want to become a doctor because...” : an examination of television medical dramas and medical students’ decision to pursue a medical career

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which the dramatisation of careers functions as a contributing factor on career decision-making. Its purpose was to find out what factors have led to medical students’ pursuit of medicine as a career, and how much the media (medical dramas) account as one of these factors. Do these highly specified series serve as a source of information about particular career paths? A survey questionnaire was conducted among 98 medical students ranging from first to fifth year. The questionnaire inquired what factors have led them to their present career goals. A subsequent section delved into their viewership of medical dramas, and the potential effect such dramas have had on their decision to study medicine. The Friedman test and an exploratory factor analysis were conducted as the main statistical procedures to find the most popular answers and identify similar factors that can be grouped together. Most respondents ascertained that medical dramas have no influence on their chosen course as an individual factors. However, an overwhelming majority did claim to follow a medical drama at least once a week. Furthermore, a significant amount of respondents held that the medical information found in these types of series proved to be somewhat useful in their studies. This study may prove useful to universities. Firstly in the way to identify certain types of students wishing to take up certain courses. Secondly by doing so, they will be better equipped to market such courses effectively. Lastly, knowing why current student have taken up a particular course within their university may lead them to better tailor courses to such students. Thus essentially what can be taken away from this study is a means to better communicate with current and future students.