Salary and Support Continuity Influence Medical Students’ Intentions to Pursue Physician-Scientist Careers: Results of an Experimental Survey

Despite efforts to strengthen the physician-scientist workforce through South Korea's Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP), its impact on medical students' career intentions remains unclear. This study assessed whether information about the PSTP-specifically salary and support continuity-affects medical students' willingness to pursue physician-scientist careers. A total of 610 medical students nationwide were randomized to one of four hypothetical information scenarios varying by salary (50 million vs. 75 million KRW/year) and continuity of support. Willingness was measured before and after information provision, alongside perceived adequacy of the support and expected effectiveness of the program. Information provision increased willingness across all groups, with greater increases observed in the "75m KRW/y" and "75m KRW/y plus possible extension" groups. Perceived adequacy and expected effectiveness were likewise higher under enhanced salary scenarios. These findings suggest that PSTP design, particularly higher salary combined with guaranteed continuity, meaningfully shapes career intentions and may guide future policies aimed at strengthening the physician-scientist workforce.