Objective 

This is a time of major shifts in the perception ofmedical specialties.

The authors have attempted to assess current attitudes of potential applicants for a residency in psychiatry.

Method 

Pilot interviews with fourth-year medical students at the University of California, San Francisco, led to the development of a questionnaire on factors influencing the choice of psychiatry as a specialty.

The questionnaire was then sent to 113 fourth-year students with an identified psychiatric interest at nine schools.

Results 

There was a response rate of 50.4%. The 54 students with a clear career decision had 22 of 38 item responses that significantly distinguished between those who matched in psychiatry and those who chose other specialties.

Conclusions 

Focused recruitment strategies are suggested based on answers to the questionnaire items.