| Abstract [eng] |
This research examines the paradox of the declining number of practising doctors and the growing number of medical graduates in Lithuania. The research aims to analyse the motivation of medical students and determine whether their choice to study medicine is more based on financial incentives, value aspects, or rather the environmental pressure? The answer to this question allows identifying guidelines for public policy reforms that would be significant in increasing the motivation of medical graduates to work in Lithuanian health care institutions. When analysing the motivation of medical students, this study compares I-II year students of the Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine study programme in Medicine and Dentistry programme, who study in related fields but have different incentives to work in Lithuania. The data collected during the survey were analysed applying methods of statistical data analysis. According to theoretical interpretation and considering the results of data analysis, this study shows that medical students can be assigned to the theoretical “Idealist” model, for which value factors play a significant role in motivation (i.e., a sincere desire to seek career goals in this field), and their study selection process did not include “financial benefit calculation” procedures. Their choice was rather not well-informed, which may lead to doubts about the decision when encountering the reality that does not meet their expectations. Therefore, improving the working conditions of doctors to ensure a balanced workload and opportunities for continuous improvement and implementation of more active career consultations in schools would make a significant contribution to strengthening their motivation to work in Lithuania. |
