Decision to pursue a profession in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: A career choice and practice challenges
- Obstetrics & Gynecology International Journal
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Remah Moustafa Ahmed Kamel,<sup>1</sup> Muna Hassan,<sup>2</sup> Shama Mousa,<sup>2</sup> Ghazal Mira,<sup>2</sup> Rahaf Eskndr,<sup>2</sup> Lujain Aloreni,<sup>2</sup> Kholod Alsubhi<sup>2</sup>
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Abstract
Introduction: Swotting career preferences among medical students can help in planning and delivering adequate healthcare services. Determining the preferred specialty and understanding the obligations affecting its choice will provide clues to influence such a choice and shift the balance of specialties among practitioners. The choice of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as a medical specialty and future career for medical students is affected by many predictors, among which are gender bias and workforce needs.
Aim: To highlight predictors behind selecting and declining Obstetrics and gynecology as a medical specialty and future career among undergraduate medical students.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study involved 166 undergraduate medical students and interns (53 males and 113 females) at one of the private medical colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, "The Batterjee Medical College."
Results: The main seven medical specialties selected by undergraduate medical students were emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and plastic surgery. The obstetrics and gynaecology were picked up (within the first three choices for future specialty and career) by 4 male students (2.52%) and by 44 female students (12.98%). Although personality traits differ between students and their selected medical specialties, the main predictors for selecting OB/GYN were gender type, private job opportunities, a limited syllabus, and the fact that most obstetric clients are healthy (Pregnancy is not an illness).
Conclusion: The selection rate of OB/GYN as a medical specialty and future career among undergraduate medical students is low. A significant correlation exists between female medical students and their choice of OB/GYN specialty. Such gender inequity should encourage attention to search for the hidden reasons deterring male students from applying for an OB/GYN residency. Supportive steps should be taken to motivate medical graduates to pursue the community's needed specialties.
Aim: To highlight predictors behind selecting and declining Obstetrics and gynecology as a medical specialty and future career among undergraduate medical students.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study involved 166 undergraduate medical students and interns (53 males and 113 females) at one of the private medical colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, "The Batterjee Medical College."
Results: The main seven medical specialties selected by undergraduate medical students were emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and plastic surgery. The obstetrics and gynaecology were picked up (within the first three choices for future specialty and career) by 4 male students (2.52%) and by 44 female students (12.98%). Although personality traits differ between students and their selected medical specialties, the main predictors for selecting OB/GYN were gender type, private job opportunities, a limited syllabus, and the fact that most obstetric clients are healthy (Pregnancy is not an illness).
Conclusion: The selection rate of OB/GYN as a medical specialty and future career among undergraduate medical students is low. A significant correlation exists between female medical students and their choice of OB/GYN specialty. Such gender inequity should encourage attention to search for the hidden reasons deterring male students from applying for an OB/GYN residency. Supportive steps should be taken to motivate medical graduates to pursue the community's needed specialties.
Keywords
medical education in Saudi Arabia, assessment of medical education environment, personality traits of medical students, choice of medical specialty, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)
