Intention to practice primary care by pediatric residents: Nature or nurture?

Factors associated with the intention to practice primary care were examine d in a survey of a national sample of PL-2 residents (n=98). Socioemotional orientation (nature), faculty and peer encouragement (nurture), and clinic al experiences during residency (nurture) were independently associated wit h a primary care career choice. For residents who changed career intentions to primary care from a nonprimary care preference, gender, encouragement b y faculty and peers, and outpatient experiences during residency were assoc iated with the change, Encouragement by both faculty and peers had the stro ngest influence on primary care career choice for all residents.