What do medical students and graduated physicians think about infectious disease specialists?

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the social representation and stereotypes on infectious disease (ID) specialists among medical students and physicians in France after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A survey applying the hierarchical evocation model assessed the social representations (SRs) of ID specialists.

Results: All in all, 372 answers were analyzed. The positive elements related to the personal and professional qualities of ID specialists ('intellectual prestige", "open-mindedness"), in contrast with negative stereotypes related to their perceived daily life and practice characteristics ("hospital-based", "intense", "overspecialized"). Variables such as "I would not have chosen (or I won't choose) ID after the national ranking exam" and "I know someone who is an ID specialist" were associated with worse SR scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022 respectively).

Conclusions: These findings provide insights into the attractiveness of ID as a specialty. Rounds in ID departments may enhance the interest of the specialty as a possible residency choice.

Keywords: Infectious diseases; Qualitative study; Reinert Method; Social representations; Stereotypes.