How Graduates from Medicine Choose their Residency Program in Iran?

Back ground and purpose: Continuing education is one of priorities of newly graduates from medicine and selection of a proper residency program is a major problem for most of them. This study examined various motives and reasons for inclination of graduates from medicine tocontinue education in a special residency program and become specialized.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was developed after holding a focus group. Validity and reliability of results using the questionnaire were assessed, Then the questionnaires were sent and received by free mail through universities. Chi-Suquare, One way ANOVA and Post Hoc test, Bonferroni type, was used to study relationshipsBetween different variables.Results: 1052 residents participated in the study. Response rate was 27%. The first and second most important information sources used to choose a residency program were experts and related books (like ketab-e-sabz) respectively. 303(28.8%) Of participants a greed that they need information a bout future of their specialties of choice. The most important factors influencing selection of a program, ordered according to their importance, were tangibility of the impacts of patients treatment, types ofdiseases, variety in a program, previous academic extensive job opportunities.Conclusion: This study showed there are various reasons to select a residency program. However information and awareness of resident a bout the program they chosed was not sufficient. Therefore informing residents before choosing programs seems to be necessary.