Gender bias in specialty preferences among Danish medical students: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Female medical students tend to prefer person-oriented specialties characterized by close doctor-patient contact and aspects of care. Conversely, male medical students tend to seek towards specialties with elements of autonomy, technology and "action" . Furthermore, female doctors will outnumber male doctors in Denmark by 2017 and this may have implications for the availability of specialized doctors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data derives from a baseline questionnaire pertaining to a Danish follow-up study. A total of 561 first year medical students enrolled in 2006 and 2007 answered the questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio estimates of the relationship between gender and specialty preference. Variables measuring self-image were included in the analysis as potential mediators. RESULTS: 47% female and 19% male students pursued personoriented specialties and 46% female and 68% male students pursued technique-oriented specialties. More female students pursued technique-oriented specialties than in 1992. Female students have 69% less probability of choosing a technique-oriented specialty than males. This association is mediated by lack of self-confidence. CONCLUSION: If specialty preferences are persistent during medical school, the results suggest that we will face more difficulties recruiting males to person-oriented specialties than females to technique-oriented specialties in the future. Furthermore, when addressing students' specialty preferences, we should consider both self confidence and gender. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.