Vocational profile in Health Sciences Students, enrolled in first-year at University of Malaga (Spain): differences by degree.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine certain characteristics about the vocational profile of college students, especially if we consider the situation of transition that is taking place currently in college with the implementation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Participants: Students enrolled in first grade of Health Sciences at University of Malaga (Spain) in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Occupational Therapy. The population comprised 272 participants (90%), of a 300 total sample of Health Sciences students with a mean age of 19 years (SD=1.8). Methodology: It was a descriptive and a cross sectional study. Students were asked to fill out an on-line questionnaire in May 2011. It was a vocational interests scale adapted into Spanish by a cross-cultural study. The dimensions were: Leadership, Organization, Altruism, Creativity, Analysis, Production, Adventure, and Erudition. The differences between the four groups of students have been checked by Anova. Results: The vocational profile among Health Sciences students showed significant differences. By degree, the most altruistic were Physiotherapy students (F=3.022, p= 0.030), being also the most adventurous (F=3.658, p=0.013). The most creative were Nursing students (F=3.578, p=0.014) and also the most erudite (F=5.527, p=0.001). Conclusions: These results could be useful in order to study the development of competences that are necessary for finding a job, work with patients and work as a member of multidisciplinary group. Also, we are collecting data every day in order to know the variance with respect the academic year (longitudinal study).