SOCIO-ACADEMIC ANALYSIS OF THE ENTRY OF DOCTORS TO A POSTGRADUATE GRADUATE AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF `` PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL ECUADOR``

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593582310089

• Palavras-chave: academic, medicine, doctors, postgraduate, applicants.

• Keywords: academic, medicine, doctors, postgraduate, applicants.

• Abstract:

  Background: In the last decade, thousands of doctors who graduate from the different medical schools cannot access a postgraduate course, since the availability of places and the specialties offered are very limited. This problem is linked to different determinants of a social, academic, health administrative nature, among others. The objective of this study was to identify the possible socio-academic determinants that allow access to a postgraduate degree in medicine at ``Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador`` and thus provide recommendations and relevant information to have greater possibilities of accessing a position.
  Methodology: A quantitative, analytical observational study was carried out, based on the information available in the databases of the medical applicants for a postgraduate course at the Faculty of Medicine of ``Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador`` between 2018 and 2019.
  Results: Of the 1,603 students who applied to the merit contest in 2019 to access a postgraduate degree in medicine, 11.4% were admitted. The academic merits and the knowledge exam of the winners had an evaluation that borders on 58% and the variables that presented significant differences were the research papers, publications and the exam score, constituting determinants that favor admission to a postgraduate course in medicine.
  Conclusions and recommendations: The main socio-academic determinants to access a postgraduate degree in medicine at ``Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador`` are age, years of graduation, research papers, publications and test scores. It is recommended to activate research, updating and motivation programs for alumni, which allow them to improve their participation in postgraduate programs.