The role of medical schools in UK students’ career intentions: findings from the AIMS study
Authors: Ferreira Tomas , Collins Alexander M. , Handscomb Arthur , Al-Hashimi Dania ,   the AIMS Collaborative, Ferreira Tomas , Collins Alexander M. , Horvath Rita , Feng Oliver , Samworth Richard J. , Teo Mario K. , Wigfield Crispin C. , Mulchrone Maeve K. , Pervaiz Alisha , Lewis Heather A. , Wong Anson , Gilks Buzz , Casteleyn Charlotte , Kidher Sara , Fitzsimons-West Erin , Rujeedawa Tanzil , Sreekumar Meghna , Wade Eliza , Choppy-Madeleine Juel , Durmus Yasemin , King Olivia , Ooi Yu Ning , Shah Malvi , Yih Tan Jit , Burley Samantha , Khan Basma R. , Slack Emma , Pilla Rishik S. , Yang Jenny , Dalal Vaishvi , Gibson Brennan L. , Westwood Emma , Low Brandon S. H. , Sabur Sara R. , Chen Wentin , Malik Maryam A. , Razzaq Safa , Sidki Amardeep , Cianci Giulia , Greenfield Felicity , Hussain Sajad , Thomas Alexandra , Harrison Annie , Bernie Hugo , Dcaccia Luke , Pregil Linnuel J. , Rowe Olivia , Jain Ananya , Anyaegbunam Gregory K. , Jafri Syed Z. , Arun Sudhanvita , Hashmi Alfaiya , Pandian Ankith , Nicholson Joseph R. , Layton-Joyce Hannah , Mohsin Kouther , Gardener Matilda , Kwan Eunice C. Y. , Finbow Emily R. , Roy Sakshi , Constantinou Zoe M. , Garlick Mackenzie , Carney Clare L. , Gold Samantha , Qureshi Bilal , Magee Daniel , Annetts Grace , Shah Khyatee , Munir Kholood T. , Neill Timothy , Atwal Gurpreet K. , Kusosa Anesu , Vijayanathan Anthony , Mäntylä Mia , Iqbal Momina , Raja Sara , Rakhecha Tushar , Shah Muhammad H. , Pokharel Pranjil , Anil Ashna , Stenning Kate , Appleton Katie , Uthayakumar Keerthana , Panacer Rajan , Owadally Yasmin , Rajendran Dilaxiha , Modalavalasa Harsh S. , Komosa Marta M. , Turjaka Morea , Saravanan Sruthi , Dickson Amelia , Read Jack M. , Cooper Georgina , Do Wing Chi , Anthony-Okeke Chiamaka , Bageac Daria M. , Loh David C. W. , Khan Rida , Omenyo Ruth , Baker Aidan , Milner Imogen , Vivek Kavyesh , Everard Manon , Rahman Wajiha , Chen Denis , Bryan Michael E. , Maliha Shama , Onongaya Vera , Dhoot Amber , Otoibhi Catherine L. , Donkin-Everton Harry , Whelan Mia K. , Hobson Claudia S. F. , Haynes Anthony , Bayes-Green Joshua , Malik Mariam S. , Srisakthivel Subanki , Kidd Sophie , Saji Alan , Dhillon Govind , Asif Muhammed , Patel Riya , Marshall Jessica L. , Raja Nain T. , Rizwan Tawfique , Dunin-Borkowska Aleksandra , Brawn James , Thillaivasan Karthig , Sindhoo Zainah , Akhtar Ayeza , Hitchcock Emma , Fletcher Kelly , Cheng Lok Pong , Pillaai Medha , Garg Sakshi , Khan Wajahat , Sweeney Ben , Bhatt Ria , Slight Madison , Chew Adan M. I. , Thurlow Cameron , Yadav Kriti , Rajesh Niranjan , Mistry Nathan-Dhruv , Weissman Alyssa , Jaramillo Juan F. E. , Thompson William , Abercromby Gregor W. , Gaskin Emily , Milton Chloe , Kokkat Matthew , Hussain Momina , Ohene-Darkoh Nana A. , Islam Syeda T. , Yadav Anushruti , Richings Eve , Foxcroft Samuel , Singh Sukhdev , Sivadev Vivek , Movio Guilherme , Leigh Ellena , Charlton Harriet , Cairn James A. , Shaaban Julia , Njenje Leah , Bishop Mark J. , Ismail Humairaa , Henderson Sarah L. , Chalk Daniel C. , Mckenna Daniel J. , Hasan Fizah , Saxena Kanishka , Gibson Iona E. , Dosani Saad 
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To investigate differences in students’ career intentions between UK medical schools.

Design

Cross-sectional, mixed-methods online survey.

Setting

The primary study included all 44 UK medical schools, with this analysis comprising 42 medical schools.

Participants

Ten thousand four hundred eighty-six UK medical students.

Main outcome measures

Career intentions of medical students, focusing on differences between medical schools. Secondary outcomes included variation in medical students’ satisfaction with a prospective career in the NHS, by medical school.

Results

2.89% of students intended to leave medicine altogether, with Cambridge Medical School having the highest proportion of such respondents. 32.35% of respondents planned to emigrate for practice, with Ulster medical students being the most likely. Of those intending to emigrate, the University of Central Lancashire saw the highest proportion stating no intentions to return. Cardiff Medical School had the greatest percentage of students intending to assume non-training clinical posts after completing FY2. 35.23% of participating medical students intended to leave the NHS within 2 years of graduating, with Brighton and Sussex holding the highest proportion of these respondents. Only 17.26% were satisfied with the prospect of working in the NHS, with considerable variation nationally; Barts and the London medical students had the highest rates of dissatisfaction.

Conclusions

This study reveals variability in students’ career sentiment across UK medical schools, emphasising the need for attention to factors influencing these trends. A concerning proportion of students intend to exit the NHS within 2 years of graduating, with substantial variation between institutions. Students’ intentions may be shaped by various factors, including curriculum focus and recruitment practices. It is imperative to re-evaluate these aspects within medical schools, whilst considering the wider national context, to improve student perceptions towards an NHS career. Future research should target underlying causes for these disparities to facilitate improvements to career satisfaction and retention.