Factors Influencing Saudi Medical Student's Decision Towards Cardiothoracic Surgery as a Future Career, a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction:There has been a progressive decline in students’ interest to consider cardiothoracic surgery as future career in the distant regions in the world. There are many factors could explain declining interest in cardiothoracic surgery including diminished caseloads due to the expansive growth of interventional cardiology; length of training programs that influences medical student’s perception. King Abdulaziz University student’s interest to join the speciality explored in our study. We determined some factors that influence their decision making toward their cardiothoracic career.Aim:We aimed to estimate the current interests of medical students at King Abdulaziz University to pursue a career in Cardiothoracic surgery and to determine the factors that positively or negatively affect their decision.Material and Methods:A self-administered online survey designed on Google form was distributed through email to fourth, fifth, and sixth-year medical students. Five domains; demographics, current career intentions, previous exposure to surgery, experiences and perceptions of cardiothoracic surgery were covered in the questionnaire to identify factors affecting student decision to choose cardiothoracic surgery as a future career.Results:Among 486 students at our institution, 179 (36, 83%) medical students completed the questionnaire more than half of them 91 (50.8%) were males. The percentage of students who considered cardiothoracic surgery as a future career was (4.5%); when asked if they were serious in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery, (14.5%) of the student were affirmative. Of those participated in the survey, Twenty-four students believed they had adequate introduction to the cardiothoracic surgery during their undergraduate program.Conclusion:cardiothoracic surgery is falling away behind other specialties as career of choice for many future physicians. It is believed mainly related to inadequate introduction to the field. Increasing exposure and close mentorship is needed to attract more students to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery.

Knowledge and Perception of Cardiac Surgery Among Medical Students in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

“…The majority of the participants (75.2%) admitted to having little knowledge of cardiac surgery, and 62.8% reported no interest in it. In addition, 88.9% had never done a cardiac surgery rotation before, which was consistent with the findings of a previous study conducted in Saudi Arabia [ 4 ]. One study used session-based surveys of common cardiac surgery topics like extra-corporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac surgery mini-elective sessions in improving undergraduates' knowledge about the specialty.…”

“…Factors that cause a decline in interest other than lack of exposure are the requirements to get into the residency program and the lack of knowledge about the future career of cardiac surgery [ 3 ]. Cardiothoracic surgery must be better exposed and accompanied by proper mentorship to fascinate more students [ 4 ]. An integrated six-year cardiothoracic surgery residency training program after medical school was developed to address the imminent shortage of surgeons, as well as streamline and improve core CT surgery training in contrast to traditional CT surgery residents, who have their entire general surgery residency program to explore CT surgery as a career choice [ 5 ].…”

“…An integrated six-year cardiothoracic surgery residency training program after medical school was developed to address the imminent shortage of surgeons, as well as streamline and improve core CT surgery training in contrast to traditional CT surgery residents, who have their entire general surgery residency program to explore CT surgery as a career choice [ 5 ]. Algethami et al have shown that Saudi medical students have little interest in choosing cardiac surgery as their future career due to two primary factors, length of training and limited geographical locations of cardiac centers in Saudi Arabia [ 4 ]. The history of modern cardiac surgery, which began at the end of the 19th century, can be comprehended.…”

The influencing factors of choosing future medical specialties among students in Saudi Arabia: A nationwide multicenter survey

“…Life fulfillment aspects, influential career aspects, personal determinants, educational determinants, and interpersonal effects were reported as the main themes from the analysis of the factors influencing the choice of specialty by medical students in a scoping study in low-and middle-income countries. [ 36 ] , There is a need for “career counseling” for Saudi physicians and medical students during their training programs. Some measures and career guidance are needed by university mentors and health policymakers to provide a structured service for career counseling to encourage those specialties that are scarce in Saudi Arabia and therefore better serve the community healthy.…”

A nationwide survey of Turkish medical students’ upon interest and decision for cardiovascular surgery as a future career: A cross-sectional survey

“…In recent years, there has been a decline among medical students to become cardiovascular/thoracic surgeons as a future career plan. [1] In particular, in the United States (USA), United Kingdom (UK), European countries, and other parts of the world, there is a significant decline in the preference for cardiovascular surgery specialization among newly graduated physicians. The increased number of cardiac and vascular cases which are performed percutaneously by cardiologists and interventional radiologists, the decreased number of surgeries despite the increase in population, significant advances in technology, limited job opportunities after graduation, and the burden of patients with high comorbidities can be considered as responsible reasons.…”