Expectations and Reality in Medical Practice: The Importance of Market Demand in Bahia

Between 2013-2022, there was a 103% increase in medical school openings. Regarding this growth, it is noteworthy to highlight the difference between private and public institutions: from 2003-2023, the growth of public medical schools corresponded to 64%, while private ones grew by 358%. This rapid expansion compromised the quality of courses, with 92% of medical schools failing to meet the Federal Medical Council's criteria. The objective of this study is to understand the motivations of physicians for choosing their profession and specialty, their use of social media in medical practice, and their salary expectations, comparing them to the realities of the labor market, particularly between physicians in urban and rural areas. The research was conducted through questionnaires developed from a bibliographic review. The questionnaire addressed variables such as socioeconomic status, motivation for choosing medicine, specialty, salary expectations, and use of social media. The sample included 167 physicians, and the questionnaires were sent online. Regarding the results, 36.3% of physicians expressed willingness to work in rural areas. Physicians using social media account for 41.2%, with over 50% of plastic surgeons being users. Concerning salary expectations at the peak of their careers, 50% of physicians expect a salary exceeding 20 times the minimum wage. In conclusion, the research highlights a preference for urban practice among physicians, mainly due to the profitability of specialties and tertiary care. There has not been an increase in social media usage in recent years, as its use appears to be delineated by specialty, with plastic surgeons being the predominant users.