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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

specialty selection, aging demographic, Taiwan

College

Life Sciences

Department

Health Science

Abstract

As of the end of August, 2013, senior citizens accounted for 11 percent of Taiwan’s population1. According to a report published by Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior earlier this year, Taiwan’s population is predicted to be “hyper-aged”,with 20% of the population 65 or over, by 2025. With the world’s lowest birth rate (less than 0.9 children per woman)2 and a universal health care system, the aging of Taiwan’s population constitutes a massive challenge for the Taiwan health care system. Such a challenge is not, however, unique to Taiwan. Many populations, especially in developed nations such as those in Europe and, indeed, the United States, face similar difficulties as life expectancies continue to increase, birth rates continue to decline and the “baby boomer” generation ages. Taiwan has one of the fastest aging populations in the world and therefore serves as a useful model for other nations facing similar challenges3. Although the Taiwan government has done much to address this problem, shortages of doctors in key specialties associated with the care of the elderly remains a concern. This study aims to identify and assess the importance of factors associated with the specialty selection of medical students in Taiwan.

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