Ten-year follow-up of vocational interest scores of 1950 medical college seniors

Abstract

Using the Strong Vocational lnterest Blank (SVIB) and the Medical Specialists Preference Blank, interest scales for surgeon, internists, pathologists, and psychiatrists were administered to 783 seniors in 15 medical schools in 1950. 87% of this group returned questionnaires regarding then professional activities in 1960. 75% of the group were in specialized practice compared to less than 25% of all physicians in 1950. The specialist interest scales did not predict the specialty entered. A scale based on all the specialists did differentiate specialists from general practitioners. The SVIB Physician Scale did not differentiate among specialties or type of practice. Younger physicians appear to resemble psychiatrists in their interests. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)