Prosocial modelling matters: the association between parent and faculty involvement in fighting COVID-19 with medical students’ career commitment

Abstract

Background: Role models are essential in medical education, yet empirical research is relatively insufficient on the influence of prosocial modelling on medical students’ career commitment. The prosocial behaviour of medical staff involved in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the beginning of 2020 presents an opportunity to fill the research gap. We explored and compared the different associations of the two most important role models for medical students–parents and faculty- with medical students’ career commitment. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 99,559 undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in mainland China. Questions were asked to collect information about participants in the battle against COVID-19, medical students’ determination to practice medicine after graduation, as well as students’ socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-square tests and hierarchical regressions were performed to examine the associations between parent and faculty involvement and students’ career commitment. Results: The results showed statistically significant associations between prosocial modelling during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and students’ intention to pursue medical careers. The association of faculty involvement (OR = 1.165, p.05). For faculty involvement, the association was stronger among male students (OR = 1.323, p