Middle East Journal of Family Medicine

JOURNAL

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April 2023 - Volume 21, Issue 3
View this issue in pdf format

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From the Editor

Editorial
A. Abyad (Chief Editor)
Mobile: 961-3-201901
Email: amcmeli@gmail.com, aabyad@cyberia.net.lb

Publisher
Lesley Pocock
lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au
publishermwi@gmail.com

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Editorial
Abdulrazak Abyad

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Middle East Quality Improvement Program
(MEQUIP QI&CPD)

Chief Editor -
Abdulrazak Abyad MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE
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Editorial Office -
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity Institute
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PO BOX 618
Tripoli, Lebanon
Phone: (961) 6-443684
Fax: (961) 6-443685
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
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Publisher -
Lesley Pocock
medi+WORLD International
AUSTRALIA
Email: lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au
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Editorial Enquiries -
abyad@cyberia.net.lb
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While all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this journal, opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Publishers, Editor or the Editorial Board. The publishers, Editor and Editorial Board cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this journal; or the views and opinions expressed. Publication of any advertisements does not constitute any endorsement by the Publishers and Editors of the product advertised.

The contents of this journal are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act, no part of this program may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

April 2023- Volume 21, Issue 3

Factors Influencing Medical Students and Interns in Choosing a Career in Saudi Arabia. A Cross-Sectional Study

Murad Aljiffry

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Correspondence:
Dr. Murad Aljiffry, MBBS, Msc, FRCSC
Department of Surgery
King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Email: dr.aljiffry@gmail.com

Received: February 2023 Accepted: March 2023; Published: April 1, 2023. Citation: Murad Aljiffry .Factors Influencing Medical Students and Interns in Choosing a Career in Saudi Arabia. A Cross-Sectional Study. World Family Medicine. March 2023; 21(3): 85-96 DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2023.95256078

Abstract

Purpose: Medical students are exposed to various specialties during their medical school. There are different factors that play a role that affect their decision to choose a specialty. In our study, we aimed to identify the factors that affect and influence medical students and interns to choose a specialty as their career.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey that involved 4th, 5th, and 6th-year medical students and interns from different universities in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, information about the medical school, their preferred specialty, and what are the factors influencing their career choice. Demographics were described as numbers and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation (SD) for numerical variables. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version (26.0).

Results: A total of 1,178 participants with a mean age 23.1 were included. Among all participants, 40% of them were in their 6th year and the majority (84.1%) were from public medical schools. Among both genders, the most preferred specialty was internal medicine, followed by general surgery. The length of residency training (p=0.005), performing procedures in this specialty (p=0.006), and perceived gender bias in the specialty (<0.001) were factors significantly different between females and males in their career choice during residency. The most important factor related to the residency training that affected the decision among both genders was lifestyle during residency. However, factors related to being a consultant differed among both genders, where 54% of females stated that patients’ outcome in the specialty was the extremely important factor, whereas in males, controllable lifestyle was the extremely important factor.

Conclusion: The most commonly chosen specialty was internal medicine, followed by general surgery for both genders. Different factors affected the decision among both genders. More emphasis on career planning is required during medical school to help graduates in choosing the proper specialty for them.

Key words: career choice, medical education, medical school, postgraduate training

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