Reasons for taking medicine as a career by female students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to explore and recognize the variety of reasons that underlie the female students' decision of entering the field of medicine. Cross sectional. Five medical colleges in Karachi, namely Sindh Medical College, Dow Medical College, Aga Khan University, Ziauddin Medical University and Baqai Medical University. 1[st] March 2008 to 31[st] July 2008. 900. All the female medical students of these medical colleges who consented to participate were included, and those who did not consent were excluded. Out of 900 female medical students who participated in the study, 336 [37.3%] were from pre-clinical years, that is from 1[st] and 2[nd] year of M.B, B.S; and 564 [62.7%] from clinical years, which includes students from 3[rd] to 5[th] year. There are a variety of reasons for the choice of medicine as a profession by the females, with the majority being attracted to it by the respect directed to a doctor, while others desired to serve humanity. Some other reasons were parental pressure, chances of better suitors and greater financial prospects. Respect for medical profession was the first choice for majority of study participants. This needs to be publicized to change the mind set of our traditional and conservative society