Similarities and differences in the social background of female medical, nursing and health visitor students
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2008-06-15
Volume: 149
Issue: 24
Page Range: 1137-1142
Description:
According to our knowledge, there has never been a comprehensive research in Hungary dealing with healthcare university or college students' social background. Aim: The main objectives of our cross-section research were to analyze differences in the social background of female students who decided to become doctors, professional nurses and health visitors. Method: This research was conducted among female medical and nursing college students at the Semmelweis University. There were 295 students invited to participate, the response rate was 68,08% (N = 201). Data analysis was performed by SPSS software by using descriptive methods of statistics. Results: We found a decisive difference among medical, nursing and health visitor students while analyzing a number of socio-demographic characteristics. Most medical students came from families where the parents had college or university degrees, but we can state that there is a minimal likelihood in the case of college students that they are descendants of parents with higher educational degrees. We did not find statistical differences in the three student sample groups regarding their marital status, but fewer nursing college students lived in marriage or household partnership. Conclusion: We found a significant difference in the social background of nursing college and medical students. The social disadvantages of nursing and health visitor students are more considerable than those of medical students.
Open Access: Yes