Willingness to work in rural areas and the role of intrinsic versus extrinsic professional motivations - a survey of medical students in Ghana

2011

Medical Students' Willingness to Work in Rural Ghana

Sample size: 302 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Agyei-Baffour Peter, Kotha Shuda R, Johnson Jennifer C, Gyakobo Mawuli, Asabir Kwesi, Kwansah Janet, Nakua Emmanuel, Dzodzomenyo Mawuli, Snow Rachel C, Kruk Margaret E

Primary Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Hypothesis

The study assesses the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on medical students' willingness to accept postings to rural areas in Ghana.

Conclusion

Most Ghanaian medical students are motivated to study medicine to help others, but this does not lead to a willingness to work in rural areas.

Supporting Evidence

Over 85% of students were born in urban areas.
Nearly two-thirds of students reported strong intrinsic motivation to study medicine.
High family professional and educational status was associated with lower willingness to work in rural areas.

Takeaway

Many medical students want to help people, but they don't want to work in the countryside where it's harder to live and work.

Methodology

A computer-based survey was conducted with 302 fourth-year medical students using logistic regression to analyze motivations and willingness to work in rural areas.