A questionnaire survey of second year graduate-entry medical students’ perception of obstetrics and gynaecology as a future career speciality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the impressions of second year graduate-entry medical students of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, before their attachment in the speciality in the subsequent year, so as to improve its appeal to them and increase their recruitment into it. A total of 74 questionnaires were distributed at the end of the Learning Opportunities in Clinical Setting (LOCS) week in the speciality and 66 (89.19%) completed questionnaires were returned. Over 4% of the respondents were considering the speciality as their career choice and less than half would consider it as a second option. Whilst more than a third perceived some of the demerits of the speciality, more than a third endorsed its merits. This showed the need to explore and address their concerns about training and working in the speciality. Having a health-related primary degree, prior employment and being female were significantly associated with choosing the speciality as a career (p < .001). Barriers for male respondents were flagged, which need to be addressed, and a bias towards Obstetrics was noted, which reflects the narrow focus on the Labour Ward and necessitates a broader exposure to the speciality. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The perception of third year graduate-entry medical students of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is biased towards Obstetrics, and they have apprehensions about the challenges of training and working in the speciality. What do the results of this study add? The views of second year graduate-entry medical students are consistent with the views of third year graduate-entry medical students, which shows that these views may be formed early. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? More research is needed to establish and understand the perception of the speciality earlier than second year and explore the value of practical steps that may improve this perception and increase the interest in it and recruitment into its training programmes.

Australian medical students’ and junior doctors' perceptions of gender discrepancies in obstetrics and gynaecology

“…A semi-structured questionnaire (Appendix S1) was developed with members of the GEDWG and based around similar surveys developed in Australian and overseas studies. [1][2][3] Randomised computer-generated selection was used to identify the research subjects. Students were invited by email to participate in a one-to-one semi-structured telephone interview, based around the questionnaire, between 1 July and 31 December 2020.…”

Factors Impacting On The Decision Of Graduate Entry Medical School Students To Pursue A Career In Obstetrics And Gynecology in Ireland

“…Interest in gynaecology only as a rst choice, while increasing from a very low base, remained low at 4.2%, demonstrating a clear preference amongst students for obstetrics. [14] These gures are signi cantly higher than international comparators. A survey conducted in Switzerland showed that 5.9% of fourth year residents were interested in a career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.…”

“…[12] In two studies of graduate entry medical students in Wales published in 2014 and 2020, Ismail and Kevelighan found that 4% and 3.9% would consider the speciality as rst career choice respectively. [14,20] The low interest levels in obstetrics and gynaecology internationally are a concern given the need to increase recruitment into the specialism(s) and leads to considerations of why the speciality is not more attractive. In an Irish context, the increased interest postrotation is encouraging, placing us in a better position than colleagues internationally to meet future demand and leading to considerations of the availability of training opportunities to meet demand amongst this cohort.…”

“…More recently, Ismail and Kevelighan described the speciality as facing a "recruitment crisis with < 1 in 30 of medical school graduates seeking the speciality as their rst career choice". [14] Recruitment is therefore an issue worthy of consideration by the profession in many jurisdictions, not least because of patient safety concerns.…”

“…[16] The weak interest in the specialty has more recently been evidenced by a study of rst year graduate entry medical students in Wales published in 2020, which found that just 4% would consider it as a rst option while 61.3% would consider it as a second option, demonstrating the importance of addressing student concerns about the speciality and harnessing their enthusiasm as they complete medical school. [12,14] Di culties extend beyond recruiting doctors to the speciality, with a recent study by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists raising concerns about high attrition rates from training programmes, specialists retiring early or leaving practice. [18] Against this backdrop, this study explores the views of graduate entry medical students in Ireland on obstetrics and gynaecology as a career choice for the rst time, and the factors which in uence their decision on whether to pursue a career in the speciality.…”