Financial Literacy Among Health Professions Graduate Students.

AIMS The impact of student debt management on mental health, career choices, and advanced training in allied health professions is unknown. The purpose of this project was to pilot a survey that identifies students' financial literacy and self-efficacy. METHODS A cross-sectional survey containing 43 items related to financial habits, savings knowledge, credit and borrowing strategies, and investment knowledge was administered to assess financial literacy, self-efficacy, and career plans in a group of health professions graduate students. RESULTS 134 of 268 surveys were completed by a variety of health professions. Financial habits and credit and borrowing categories scored the highest at 50% correct. Students scored the lowest on investment knowledge with an average of 25% correct responses. The overall mean self-efficacy score was 15.5±3.8. Three independent variables had a significant correlation of determination with overall financial literacy, which included marital status, older age, and individuals who identified as white non-Hispanic. Similarly, identification as white non-Hispanic had a significant correlation of determination with financial self-efficacy, but there were no significant differences based on age or marital status. CONCLUSIONS Allied health students demonstrated low financial literacy and self-efficacy. Health care educators should consider delivering educational content to address these deficits.