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OBJECTIVES: The demand for orthopedic surgery is expected to increase as the Saudi population grows and ages. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the interest of medical students and interns in orthopedic surgery and the factors that influence their interest. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire adapted from a similar study and modified by the authors. The questionnaire was distributed via email to more than 500 medical students from the second year to the internship year. The questionnaire was designed to assess knowledge, interest, and students' perception of orthopedics. RESULTS: Five hundred and ten responses were obtained; 382 (74.90%) were from women. Gender, family orientation, private practice, and perceptions of orthopedic surgery as a stressful specialty or a specialty in crisis were variables that did not influence participants' perceptions of orthopedic surgery. Further, 13% of participants showed early interest in orthopedic surgery, especially during their third year of medical school. Most of the interested participants recognized that having strong level of knowledge, future academic opportunities, a controllable lifestyle, direct patient care, experience during their clerkship, a high salary, immediate satisfaction, and a prestigious specialty were important aspects that determined their interest in considering a future career in orthopedic surgery. Work preferences that had a significant impact on interest included working with patients not requiring long-term care, working only in the hospital, working outside the hospital, and working only during the day. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between genders in terms of interest in orthopedic surgery. This study might serve as a basis for future research assessing the interest of medical students in orthopedic surgery as well as identifying and managing the barriers that prevent students from pursuing careers as orthopedic surgeons.
RESUMO
Background Patient safety is of utmost importance and every effort is to be made to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infection. Contaminated attire is proposed as a mode of hospital infections spread. This study aims to assess the laundering habits, the perception of healthcare workers toward the contamination of their attire, and the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on their cleaning practices in non-operative settings. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed among physicians at King Abdul-Aziz Medical city, Riyadh. The questionnaire queried the physicians about their laundering habits, knowledge toward their attire, and the difference in cleaning practices after the emergence of COVID-19. Results Out of 220 questionnaires distributed, 192 physicians responded. Majority of physicians were male (54%) and were in the 20 to 30 age group. Female gender was significantly associated with the frequency of uniform washing ( p- value < 0.0001) and place of cleaning (home vs. outside home) ( p- value <0.0001). Physicians in intensive care were more likely to take off their uniforms daily before leaving the hospital compared to others ( p- value of 0.018). Most physicians did not prefer to use the hospital laundry system for cleaning their uniforms but consultants were the most to use it. COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in washing habits in 108 physicians (60%). Conclusion Majority of physicians accepted washing their uniforms multiple times per week and their washing habits increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female gender and younger physician both were associated with increasing washing habits.
