Professional perspectives and motivations of medicine students to work with family health strategy

Abstract

This study aims at describing the motivational aspects of future doctors as to their professional perspectives of working in Family Health Strategy (ESF) and the inducing strategies of the course’s Political and Pedagogical Project (PPP). This descriptive and exploratory study of qualitative approach was conducted with 31 Medicine students of two education institutions. Data were collected based on the PPP analysis and through interview. The empirical material was reviewed using the content analysis technique based on the Self-determination Theory. Three analytical categories emerged: intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and demotivation. The results showed ESF is a temporary job opportunity with an ideology that captivates academics. However, extrinsic motivations end up forcing students not to choose the area as a career. It is essential to explore the intrinsic motivational potential of students developing strategies to overcome barriers that limit choosing ESF as a career path.