Résumé
Procrastination is a multidimensional concept defined as the propensity of needlessly delaying what should be done to reach one's goal, involving the experience of subjective discomfort and serious anxiety. Procrastination related to school behaviours is defined as academic procrastination. Cognitive and psychological dynamics involved, their expression, and their consequences, would generate difficulties in the completion of student's final dissertations. This study sought to understand the relationship between the postponement of médical students final dissertation and the previewed components. The analysis of literature has provided keys in building an original self-assessment measure. It has been tested on family doctors in Annonay and the surrounding areas. The univariate analysis has suggested a prime statistical relation between procrastinationand voluntary delay, procrastination in daily life, the underestimation of the time needed to complet tasks, the work methods of the thesis supervisors, time-based constraints, or intrinsic motivation. These consistent results reinforce the importance of taking procrastination intoaccount while supporting PhD students. Further exploration is required to confirm these by using larger samples, and to investigate cases. The accessibility and sensitivity of these elements in preventive and learning measures might be considered. Specific teaching tools might be designed and developed to guide doctoral students wisely. Furthermore, a general reflection about the relevance of the final medical dissertation, and its terms and conditions, should be carried out.