Perceptions of primary care among medical students in Lima, Peru: a cross-sectional study in two universities

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate how medical students perceive primary care and its impact on their career decisions.
• Conducted a cross-sectional survey among medical students from two universities in Lima, Peru.
• Assessed student perceptions of primary care in relation to residency and work interests.
• Analyzed the association between perceptions and factors like university affiliation and completed rotations.
• Most students view primary care primarily as a stepping stone to residency.
• Nearly half find primary care cases less interesting and associated with lower income compared to hospital roles.
• A favorable perception of primary care relates positively to university affiliation and experience in external rotations.