Choice of Medical Profession-Passion or Pressure: Medical Students Perspectives

Abstract

Objective: Medical profession is one of the most aspired career option among school students and parents. Though the profession may look so lucrative and charming, one needs to be committed a lot to become a successful doctor. Passion and interest towards the career will be the most determining option to be a successful practitioner. But there will be many external influences in a student’s life to choose this career. This study was conducted with the objective to understand the factors that influenced MBBS students to choose this career. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 1060 MBBS students throughout India. A self-designed questionnaire which contained questions related to why they selected this career was prepared and validated among experts in the field and was converted into google forms and was circulated to all the medical colleges in India through social media platform. Results: Though the majority (60.4%) mentioned that passion to serve as the main reason, nearly one-fourth (25.8%) have opted the career for social status, job opportunity, good remuneration and lifestyle. Nearly one-third (32%) have regretted joining the profession. Regarding the plan after MBBS, most of them (59.2%) preferred speciality practice. Clinical subjects were the most preferred Postgraduation. Conclusion: Though passion for the medical profession was the most common reason for coming into this career, parental and few other external influences were also found as the reasons for choosing MBBS among some students.