[Choice of Family Medicine at the exams for Spanish resident doctors in 2011 and 2013].

Background: Family Medicine (FM) is regarded as one of the specialities less interesting to those who choose for resident physicians (MIR) in Spain. Our objective is to know the priority given to the choice of FM in 2011 and 2013 MIR exams, and what factors might be associated with this choice.

Methods: We obtained information on the website of the Ministry of Health for the graduates who could choose a speciality (11552 y 9182). The variables analyzed were: number obtained in the opposition, sex, speciality chosen, chosen city, medical school where they studied (for 117 and 155 students of a previous cohort study). We calculated the probability of choice of FM in relation to the order number in the exam and the other variables (Kaplan-Meier).

Results: 1963 and 1772 chose FM, respectively in 2011 and 2013. The median of the order number to choose FM was 7894 (95%CI:7720-8068) and 6561 (95%CI:6442-6680). There were gender differences, as women chose FM with fewer number and a higher proportion (p<0.00001).

Conclusions: Graduates enrolled in the MIR exam have not special preference for FM. Women show a greater interest in this speciality.