Dynamics of career attractiveness and preferences among Swiss medical students: an observational study at the end of the master’s program

Medical career preferences are in focus because the future medical workforce should align with society's needs. The study investigated how medical students' perceptions of the attractiveness of various clinical and non-clinical career options evolved as they approached the end of medical school, and which factors might influence their career choices. This was a cross-sectional online survey of medical students who completed the master's program in spring 2025 in different medical education tracks at different Swiss universities. The survey included both Likert-scaled and open-ended questions. Flow diagrams were used to depict changes in attractiveness throughout medical school. Network visualization mapped the connections between the most important career determinants. Regression analysis assessed the factors associated with career preferences. Among 364 medical students included, the most attractive careers at the end of medical school were the specialized disciplines of inpatient care (37%) and outpatient care (20%). These specialties were preferred due to interest in surgery or specialization. During the master's program, attractiveness of general practice, specialized outpatient care, and specialized inpatient care increased while the attractiveness of outpatient gynecology/pediatrics and inpatient general internal medicine decreased. Career characteristics perceived to be the most important determinants of career choice were primarily performing medical activities, part-time work, and relationships with patients. The most prevalent factors favoring career decisions were experience during the elective year (91%) and clinical courses with patient contact during the studies (70%). Students who found a career more attractive during their studies were more likely to prefer that career at the end of medical school. Career preferences at the end of medical school were associated with specific factors. Among these factors, the most significant was the perceived attractiveness of the career during medical education. This emphasizes the importance of medical education in shaping students' dynamic and multifaceted career decisions.