Factors affecting medical specialty preferences and associated gender differences in fourth year MBBS students

ABSTRACT

To Identify factors affecting medical specialty preferences and associated gender differences in Fourth Year MBBS students. This was a Cross-sectional survey conducted on fourth year MBBS students of Lahore Medical and Dental College through a Preformed Structured questionnaire by non probability sampling technique. The student were told that the survey was voluntary and were given a choice of refusal but fortunately all the students in the class participated in the survey [n=120]. Data was collected during January 2009. Data was analyzed using SFSS v. 16.0. Descriptive statistics were computed, and the relationship between specialty preference and categorical variables [gender, reasons for choosing a particular specialty] were evaluated using Pearson Chi square test. A calculated p value of students selected surgery [40[33%]] as the most preferred post graduate specialty followed by medicine [17[14%]] and Obstetrics/Gynecology [16[13%]] respectively. Female medical students picked Obstetrics/Gynecology [16[24%]] while male medical students opted for Surgery as their most preferred specialty [28 [51%]]. This gender difference in specialty preference was statistically significant with a p value of < 0.00. The most common reasons for choosing a particular specialty were reputation [general perception among people] of the specialty [46[38%] and anticipated income [22 [18%]]. The most common reasons cited by students for choosing a particular specialty was reputation of the specialty followed by anticipated income and advice from parents. Gender differences were found in career preferences