Reasons for Choosing Specialty After Graduation Among Students of a Private Medical College in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Diverse factors influence the career choice of undergraduate medical students. This study was carried out to identify career preferences and factors influencing their selection among undergraduate medical students Methods: The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among under graduate students. Final MBBS medical students (84) were interviewed. They were interviewed for career preference after finishing medical school and then for reasons of choosing a specific specialty. All information gathered was on voluntary basis. Anonymity and confidentiality was maintained. The study was approved by the college ethical review committee Results: Out of total 84 students 61 (72.6%, males & females) decided about the specialty in final year while 23 (27.4%, males & females) were undecided in choosing their specialty. Among those who have decided in males (n=13) Internal Medicine was the first choice with 68.4% (n=13), general surgery 63% (n=12) followed by Pediatrics 31.6% (n=7). Among females n=31, internal medicine was the first choice with 59% (n=31), Pediatrics 38% (n=16) followed by Family Medicine 38% (n=16) and General Surgery 35% (n=15). Regarding factors influencing choice of specialty personal interest is the top factor in males & females with 72%(n=44), content of specialty 16% (n=10), role model and close interaction with patients15% (n=9), financial reward ranks fourth13% (n=8) and intellectual challenge & desire practice setting 11.5% (n=7). Among undecided for specialty (males & females) n=23, most of the students are of the opinion that insufficient information is the top most reason (56%) n=13, followed by lack of guidance (43%) n =10, lack of role model (39%) n=9 is the third leading factor for being undecided. Conclusion: The trend of preferring Clinical over Basic Sciences is evident in the study. Interestingly Family medicine was also a preferred specialty among females. In improving the health outcomes Pakistan needs Family physicians trained to provide low cost services at community level.

Otolaryngology specialty choice among the 4th year MBBS students

“…To demonstrate the overall expertise and experience in otorhinolaryngology, various questions were asked and evaluated and were put along to enhance the preferences of individuals regarding the otorhinolaryngology as the field of specialty. A Likert scale was selected having numbering from 1-5 in which, strongly agree [1], agree [2], not sure [3], disagree [4], strongly disagree [5]. The document was prepared in accordance with the "uniform requirements submitted to biomedical journals" 15 .…”

“…The field demands to visit patients in the off time and having night duties as well owing to the critical condition of the patients 3,4 . In this regard, the field of otorhinolaryngology provides with more regulated life style 5 and it is the most valuable specialty in United States 6 . A suitable training of this specialty is also necessity for good general practitioners as around 40-60% of patients are being visited routinely with ear, nose and throat diseases in their outpatient clinics 7 .…”

Major Factors Causing Uncertainties in Career Selection Among Medical Students of Gujranwala Medical College

“…Studies have been conducted to attribute uncertainty to factors such as burnout and increased levels of stress in the medical field (7). One study even reported that students preferred clinical sciences over basic sciences (8). The wide variety of factors reported across different studies shows that a lot goes into selecting a specialty.…”