77 - Confidence in First Year Medical Students

Poster Board Number: 77
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Abstract Body : “Will I be a good doctor?” is a question asked by medical students globally. With rigorous coursework, significant financial stressors, and the pervasiveness of perfectionistic culture, medical students have increased external stressors, which can significantly impact a student's confidence in themselves and in their abilities as a future practitioner. There is abundant research showing that medical students have lower self-confidence and self-esteem than their fellow non-medical young adults. This study will look at the effects of student demographics such as sex, race and ethnicity, educational experience, and socioeconomic status on confidence in first year medical students.
This is a correlational research study involving first year medical students in the graduating class of 2026. Data was collected via a short questionnaire included in exams taken by the student participants in their Neuroscience course. The answers given by students were compared based on the demographic categories described above. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference in answers between Hispanic vs not Hispanic students regarding confidence in themselves as a future doctor. Hispanic students were found to be more likely to have a significantly lower confidence level than non Hispanic students. It was also found that male students considered quitting school significantly less often than female students. There was no statistically significant difference in confidence level related to educational experience or socioeconomic status.
The goal of medical education research, to which this study contributes, is to deepen the understanding of medical education and learning in order to improve the processes for future generations of learners. This study aims to understand the relationship between student demographics on confidence level in first year medical students. It is hoped that this research will contribute to further research in the effects of the clinical experience as well as improvements in the clinical aspect of medical education and be used to improve self-confidence in early medical students.