Career Preferences Among Final Year Medical Students and Interns: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in the number of undergraduate medical seats in India, suggests the need for faculties trained in specialist fields to ensure adequate education at the university level. Career selection is considered an important aspect of medical course admission and some career options are often overlooked by students. An insight into factors affecting the decision making could aid preparing workforce to prevent the over or under supply of doctors in various specialties. Aim: To determine the career preferences among final year medical students and interns in a private medical college in Tamilnadu, India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among final year part two MBBS students and CRRI’s who were going to complete their internship in three months, by a pre validated questionnaire consisting of two sections, the first section consisting of demographic details and the second section consisting of fixed response questions about their career choices. A sample of 100 final year students and 140 CRRI’s participated in this study. The primary data is analysed with SPSS software, and chi square test was done. Results: Female students mostly preferred General medicine, Obstetrics & gynaecology and Paediatrics, while male students preferred General medicine, Paediatrics, General Surgery and Radiology. Among the students who participated in the study, 20.4% have not decided which speciality to pursue. Conclusion: The medical students career options in our medical college was in favour of a few departments. KEY WORDS: Career preferences, Medical students, CRRI’s.