Determinants of academic satisfaction in fifth-year students of Medicine, Argentina

Introduction: Academic satisfaction is crucial in the personal and professional development of medical students. Understanding its determinants is essential to identify areas for the improvement of the educational experience and for the promotion of a better academic performance. Objective: To determine the factors associated with academic satisfaction in fifth-year medical students. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted using data of 1160 fifth-year students from the National Survey of Medical Students, Argentina. Academic satisfaction was the dependent variable. The chi-square automatic interaction detector (CHAID) was used, which segmented students according to motivations and sociodemographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and academic variables were performed. The performance of the model was evaluated with indices of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. Results: The model revealed that students with the characteristics of node 7 (under 25 years old, who value fulfilling their dreams and economic stability) were 3.28 times more likely to be satisfied. After adjusting for other variables, the propensity was 2.46 times higher. The model had a specificity of 97.53%, a positive predictive value of 89.22%, a sensitivity of 35.57%, and a negative predictive value of 71.60%. In addition, these students stood out for valuing aspects such as personal progress, social contribution and economic stability compared to other groups. Conclusions: The CHAID model identified that fifth-year medical students under the age of 25, who value fulfilling their dreams and economic stability, were more likely to be satisfied with their studies.