Occupational and academic characteristics of medical graduates from three Peruvian universities

Abstract

Objective Describe the occupational and academic characteristics of medical graduates from three Peruvian universities.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical graduates from the National Universities of Piura, Amazonía Peruana, and San Antonio Abad del Cusco. An online questionnaire was used to gather information related to the occupational and academic characteristics, as well as current job satisfaction. Stratified random sampling was used, with the participants being selected from each university.

Results A total of 150 medical graduates with a median age of 32 [IQR = 26–41] completed the questionnaire. All of the participants had at least one post-graduate study, and 70% had some specialty. Almost all (96.7%) of the graduates got their first job in less than a year, and 62% got it through personal contacts, and 10% have been or are currently working abroad. The current median number of jobs was 2 [IQR = 1–6], and the current salary ranged mainly from $1000 to $3000. The overall job satisfaction score (median) was 84 (IQR = 58–95).

Conclusion The majority of graduates surveyed currently live in Peru and all of them had at least one postgraduate study. Current salaries ranged from $ 1000 to $3000 and work was predominantly health-care related. Participants also reported feeling generally satisfied about their current job status.