Are medical students socially exclusive? A comparison with economics students

CONTEXT Medical students have long been perceived as socially segregated from other students. However, the evidence for this is mainly anecdotal. This study investigates this issue by comparing medical students with economics students. METHODS Questionnaires measuring objective and subjective social life patterns were completed by 149 medical and 149 economics students at a campus-based university in the UK. RESULTS Medical students drew significantly more of their close friends and housemates from among students on the same course than economics students. Significantly more medical than economics students had a partner on the same course, participated in departmental sports clubs and societies, and felt separated from the rest of university life. Commonly reported reasons for this separation among medical students were high workloads, that the medical school was located outside the main campus, and high numbers of contact hours, some of which took place at sites outside the university. DISCUSSION Medical students are more socially exclusive than economics students, which may lead to 'in-group' attitudes and behaviours. This is educationally important and may affect their future professionalism. Universities should be aware of the issues involved when planning curricula, timetables, welfare initiatives and campus design. Prospective medical students should be informed of the social consequences of studying medicine.