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 to continue 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 relationships between 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 of diseases, 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.