Central Admission to Medical Colleges and its impact on the rates of medical specialties in Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the ration of males to females among graduate medical students, and to identify the impact of such ratio on the most required medical specialization in the Iraqi community. The study was conducted for the period from May 1 to July 31, 2012, as a retrospective study to the records of postgraduate medical students, and the reports of current medical specialization working in the Ministry of health. The results reveal an increase of female students from Iraqi Medical Colleges than that of males for the last 8 years. The study also reveals that there is a shortage of medical specialization particularly in general surgery and medicine and its sub-specialty all over Iraqi governorates. The study recommends giving more chance to the males in admission to Medical Colleges and the emphasis on the availability of at most needed medical specialization for females and males whom were graduated from medical colleges.