Key result
Endocrinology rotations and mentorship linked to serious specialty interest among ~27% of surveyed medical students.
Why the study?
The United States faces a critical shortage of endocrinologists amid increasing rates of diabetes, obesity, and MASLD, making workforce expansion essential to ensure equitable access to specialty care.
Cross-Sectional (n=160)
Early exposure to endocrinology, mentorship, and research opportunities are key factors associated with medical students' interest in the specialty.
Mentorship and endocrinology rotations were associated with student interest; prospective studies are needed before guiding recruitment efforts.
Introduction and Objective: The United States if facing a critical shortage of endocrinologists at a time when rates of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease are increasing. Addressing this workforce shortage is essential to ensuring equitable access to specialty care. This study aimed to identify factors influencing medical students’ interest or disinterest in pursuing endocrinology. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey assessing medical students’ interest in endocrinology using demographic items and the Diabetes Stigma Scale, the Short Grit Scale, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form. Results: A total of 160 medical students participated (mean age=25.3±2.4 years, 68.1% women, 61.3% White, 31.3% third-year students). Forty-two participants (26.6%) reported seriously considering a career in endocrinology; however, only 6 (3.8%) indicated a strong interest in pursuing it. Interest in endocrinology was associated with higher agreeableness (H=14.694, p=.005) and lower career decision self-efficacy (H=11.661, p=.020), but not age, gender, race, year in medical school, diabetes stigma, grit, extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability, or openness. Additional factors associated with considering endocrinology included completing an endocrinology rotation (χ2=20.259, p<.001), valuing research opportunities (χ2=10.893, p=.028), and access to an endocrinologist mentor (χ2=32.357, p<.001). Reported barriers included limited exposure during medical school (n=57, 35.6%), the perceived complexity of the specialty (n=56, 35.0%), fewer procedural opportunities (n=50, 31.3%), lack of mentorship (n=46, 28.7%), length of training (n=46, 28.7%), and perceived lower compensation (n=33, 20.6%). Conclusion: Targeted efforts to increase early exposure to endocrinology in medical school along with mentorship and research opportunities may foster greater interest in the field. Disclosure P. Alley: None. E.A. Beverly: None. Funding Osteopathic Heritage Foundation
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ALLEY et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Medical student career interest in endocrinology (n=160). Factors influencing career choice (e.g., rotations, mentorship) was evaluated on Interest in pursuing endocrinology. Among 160 medical students, 26.6% seriously considered endocrinology, with interest significantly associated with completing an endocrinology rotation (P<0.001) and access to a mentor (P<0.001).
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