Table 2. Identified major themes and representative quotes from the Career Choices survey relating to Emergency Medicine (EM) as a career.

DCP = Data Collection Point

Major themes	Representative participant quotes
Lifestyle: Balance; Hours; Stress	“Not conducive to family life (want children); long hours, high stress, not a set schedule.” (Class of 2001, DCP4) “Great lifestyle, very interesting.” (Class of 2000, DCP5)
Nature of the work: Variety; Diverse patient population; Shift work; Trauma situations; Lack of continuity of care	“Ability to encounter a variety of situations, constantly changing case load.” (Class of 2005, DCP1) “Shift work that is intense = burn out after long term.” (Class of 2005, DCP2) “…No long term care (except the returning drunks), no continuity of care.” (Class of 2000, DCP5)
Perception of work: Challenging; Interesting/exciting	“Seems like long hard hours!” (Class of 2005, DCP1) “I feel it would be exciting and challenging and would not get boring…” (Class of 2003, DCP1) “Terror, punctuated by boredom - much preferable [than the opposite].” (Class of 2003, DCP2) “Blood and guts are cool and it sounds challenging with a broad spectrum of skills required.” (Class of 2005, DCP2)
Previous experiences: Pre-med; Electives/rotations	“I volunteer with St. John Ambulance, and have experienced pre hospital emergency care – so I find it quite interesting.” (Class of 2003, DCP1) “I had a good experience on the rural visit in the ER. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did.” (Class of 2005, DCP2)
Passion/personal philosophy	“I thrive in the most stressful situations and feel that emergency medicine may be where I am best suited and will be happiest.” (Class of 2004, DCP1) “Don't think my personality is suited to life or death decisions that need to be made in milliseconds on a daily basis. Extremely high stress.” (Class of 2005, DCP3)
College of Family Physicians Canada (CFPC) Emergency Medicine Program	“Would like to do family [medicine] and a year of emergency because very practical for rural practice or international practice.” (Class of 2003, DCP5) “Plan to complete the CCFP (EM) program. Enjoy the variety + flexibility of tailoring your practice to your needs.” (Class of 2000, DCP5)