Career choices of undergraduate medical students.
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Date
2011-05
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Abstract
Background. Many factors influence the career choices of
undergraduate medical students. We sought to identify the career
choices of medical students in an Indian medical college and what
influenced these choices.
Methods. We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional
survey. We included medical students of all semesters at a medical
college. The sociodemographic data, first choice of career on the
day of the questionnaire and rating of 34 factors influencing
choices were recorded.
Results. Two hundred and eighty-two questionnaires were
analysed. The most preferred career choices were medicine and
surgery, followed by orthopaedics; 3 students each chose obstetrics
and gynaecology, and anaesthesia; none chose community
medicine. Second-semester students made choices before and
the rest after joining medical college. Significantly, senior students
were disinclined to take up surgery (p=0.003), preferring
orthopaedics instead (p=0.017). ‘Personal interest’ was rated
by 80% of students as important in influencing their choice,
followed by stability (58%), reputation of the specialty (56%)
and lifestyle (55%).
Conclusion. The career choices of medical students at our institution were biased against some subjects. Often, choices develop during the course. Role modelling by faculty during departmental postings could be a factor influencing choice.
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Kumar Rajeev, Dhaliwal Upreet. Career choices of undergraduate medical students. National Medical Journal of India. 2011 May-Jun; 24(3): 166-169.