Factors affecting Career Choice among Medical Students

Abdul Manan  Soomro; Aneela  Qureshi; Masood Ali  Qureshi; Amjid Aazam  Srewal; Allah Bachayo  Rajar; Sadiq Ali  Khowaja

doi:10.29054/apmc/2022.1120

Abdul Manan Soomro Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah Pakistan
Aneela Qureshi Demonstrator, Department of Biochemistry, Chandka Medical College, SMBB Medical University, Larkana Pakistan
Masood Ali Qureshi Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Chandka Medical College, SMBB Medical University, Larkana Pakistan
Amjid Aazam Srewal Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, Muhammad Medical College, Ibn-e-Sina University, Mirpurkhas Pakistan
Allah Bachayo Rajar Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Muhammad Medical College, Ibn-e-Sina University, Mirpurkhas Pakistan
Sadiq Ali Khowaja Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Muhammad Medical College, Ibn-e-Sina University, Mirpurkhas Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2022.1120

Keywords: Factors, Gender choice, Peer advice, Career guidance, Medical students

Abstract

Background: The career decisions of medical students have a significant impact on the future of healthcare delivery. It is crucial to understand the factors that influence their career choices in order to guide medical education and workforce planning effectively. A range of personal, academic, and environmental factors contribute to the career choices of medical students. Exploring these factors can offer valuable insights into addressing workforce needs and ensuring the optimal delivery of healthcare. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing career choices among medical students in terms of family influence, school influence, gender influence and peer influence. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Settings: Community Medicine Department of Community Medicine, MMC Mirpur Khas Pakistan. Duration: February 2022 to August 2022. Methods: All the medical student from years 1^st MBB and BDS to Final years of education of either gender was included. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect quantitative data on demographic information, academic performance, personal interests, values, and factors influencing career choices and was distributed among the study participants. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subset of participants to delve deeper into their career decision-making processes, to explore the personal experiences, influential factors, and perceptions related to career choices. SPSS version 26 was used for the data analysis. Results: The total number of students surveyed was 150. Among the students, 51 (34.0%) were younger than 20 years old, while 99 (66.0%) were older than 20 years old. 50 individuals (33.3%) were males and (66.7%) were females, while out of all 7.9% students were married. Out of all 49.3% strongly agree that parents and their education influence their children's career guidance, while 41.3% simply agree. Only 4.0% are uncertain about this influence, and 5.3% disagree. In terms of career guidance in schools, 33.3% students were strongly agreeing with this concern, while 41.3% simply agree, 14.0% expressed uncertainty about the issue, while 10.7% disagree. According to the influence of gender on students' career choices, 31.3% candidates were strongly agreeing that gender impacts career decisions, while 40.7% simply agreed, 16.0% expressed uncertainty about this influence, while 8.0% disagree. Regarding the importance of peer advice on careers among fellow students, 24.7% of students strongly agreed that peer advice is essential, while 39.3% simply agreed. Furthermore, 20.0% expressed uncertainty about the significance of peer advice, while 12.0% disagreed. Conclusion: Study underscore the complexity of career decision-making among medical students, influenced by familial, educational, gender-related, and peer dynamics. Further research and interventions in career guidance programs may benefit from addressing these varied influences comprehensively.