Exploring motivational and contextual factors influencing medical career choice: a theory-informed study

The findings suggest that intrinsic motivation and perceived competence outweigh external constraints in shaping early medical career intentions. Framing medical career choice through SCCT and EVT offers a comprehensive understanding of how emotional, motivational, and cultural factors intersect in professional identity formation. These insights can inform interventions that strengthen self-efficacy, moral engagement, and contextual support in medical education.