Home Institution
Rice University
Publication Date
Fall 2022
Abstract
Primary care (PC) lies at the center of modern healthcare systems as the primary point of contact between the general public and quality health care. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are known to provide high quality basic care to members of their surrounding community without consuming a large budget, and thus should be a priority for health sector investments. However, the proportion of medical students becoming PCPs is declining across the world, thus putting affordable global health at risk. The U.S. and Switzerland, even with their high health expenditures and advanced healthcare technologies, are no exception to this trend. Analysis of existing literature accompanied by personal communications with medical practitioners and medical students in both countries illustrate various similarities and differences in reasons why PC is declining. Students in both countries are often discouraged by financial reasons, perceived PC prestige and lifestyle, and intrinsic career motivation misalignments with PC. No single approach to resolve this phenomenon has stood out, but literature review and interviews with key informants have suggested some strategies that could prove effective in revitalizing PC.
Disciplines
Family, Life Course, and Society | Medicine and Health | Primary Care
Recommended Citation
Zhang, William, "Declining Career Interest in Primary Care in Switzerland and the United States" (2022). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3535.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3535
Included in
Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Primary Care Commons
Program Name
Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy