3187 Would you be a geriatrician? The evolution of medical student perceptions of geriatric medicine from 2010 to 2024

Abstract Introduction Quality education in ageing at medical school can positively influence students’ attitudes toward older people. The ‘Medicine in the Community Module’ integrates 2-weeks of clinical placement in geriatrics into a 6-week mandatory teaching module in the final 18-months of student training. In 2010, we found an association between module completion and interest in pursuing a career in geriatric medicine. Method We administered an 18-item survey on career interests to medical students before and after the 2024 module. Results were analysed within the cohort to assess impact of the current module, and post-module results were compared to 2010. Results Overall, 49% (143/291) of students completed the pre-module survey and 35% (101/291) completed the post-module survey. Prior to commencing the module in 2024, 29% (41/143) of responders indicated they would favourably consider a career in geriatric medicine, which improved to 44% (44/101) post-module (p < 0.02). These proportions were higher than 2010 (20.6% pre-module, 31% post-module, p = 0.02). In the 2024 post-module survey, 42.6% (43/101) of responders felt career decisions are made in medical school, with 23% (14/61) indicating a preference for medical specialities, 19.6% (12/61) surgery and 14.6% (9/61) paediatrics. The perceived most important factors influencing speciality choice in both cohorts were: interesting specialty, variety, and working hours. Students also placed importance on potential future income in 2024 76% (2010 = 47%). The availability of research opportunities was consistently rated as the least important factor influencing student preference (2024 = 42%, 2010 = 35%). Conclusion This study indicates that students are positively impacted by dedicated geriatric medicine exposure in medical school, highlighting the importance of core speciality exposure. Priorities students place on different aspects of a career choice appear largely similar to those from a 2010 study, except that students today more often report income as important.