This is one of three stories related to people choosing to go into the medical profession and the costs and challenges they face. Return to naplesnews.com through Monday to read all of the articles or pick up a copy of Sunday's Daily News.

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The third article will focus on doctors who didn't repay their taxpayer-supported loans, which is the reason for the database at the bottom of this article. That factor doesn't relate to the people interviewed for this particular article.

NAPLES Young doctors not only must survive the academic rigors of medical school, today's realities include skyrocketing tuition and potentially greater competition for choice post-graduate residencies, industry officials say.

Still, medical schools are seeing an uptick in applications and studies show a career in medicine still offers a good lifestyle, said Steven Specter, associate dean for student affairs at the University of South Florida's (USF) College of Medicine in Tampa.

That's despite average student loan debt of $150,000 or more, he said.

"The value of a medical education is very clearly shown. Even with a couple hundred thousand in debt, it is still a good investment," he said. "The number of medical school applications is up, not down, so (the debt) is not driving people away in droves."

When it comes to post-graduate residency training, which ranges from three to five years depending on the specialty, Florida has 3,500 slots but needs 2,700 more, according to the Council of Florida Medical School Deans.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants to expand graduate medical education to add 700 slots at a cost of $80 million, according to his 2013 budget proposal. His plan is backed by the Florida Medical Association.

Scott recognizes the need for more residency slots to retain and attract young doctors and ease the doctor shortage, said Christiane Mitchell, director of federal affairs for the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C.

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Despite high cost and residency shortage, Florida sees interest rise in medical school