Only 9.4% of final-year medical students have nominated general practice as their preferred specialty, down from 10.6% last year, with rural generalism falling too.

Internal medicine and surgery are increasing in popularity, while paediatrics and even anaesthesia are falling, according to a yearly survey by Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand, released last week.

The report authors said general practice remained the second most preferred specialty if rural generalism was included, although surgery was closing in.

Ranked separately, general practice was fourth and rural generliasm was eighth.