Abstract
ObjectivesThe number of family physicians in Oman is far below that recommended by the World Health Organization. This study aimed to determine factors influencing junior doctors’ choice of a career in family medicine.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2018 and targeted applicants to Oman Medical Specialty Board residency programmes during the 2018–2019 academic year. Applicants were grouped according to their choice of either family medicine (n = 64) or other specialities (n = 81). A self-administered questionnaire was utilised to compare the applicants’ sociodemographic characteristics, factors influencing their choice of career and their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality traits.ResultsA total of 52 family medicine and 43 other residency applicants participated in the study (response rates: 81.3% and 53.1%, respectively). Most family medicine applicants were female (86.5%), married (65.4%) and resided in rural areas (73.1%); moreover, 19.2% were ≥30 years of age. Overall, emphasis on continuity of care, opportunity to deal with a variety of medical problems, the ability to use a wide range of skills and knowledge, early exposure to the discipline, opportunity to teach and perform research and the influence of family or friends were important factors in determining choice of a career in family medicine. Moreover, the MBTI analysis revealed that family medicine applicants were commonly extroverted-sensing-thinking-judging personality types.ConclusionKnowledge of the factors influencing career choice among junior doctors may be useful in determining future admission policies in order to increase the number of family physicians in Oman.
Highlights
The number of family physicians in Oman is far below that recommended by the World Health Organization
Emphasis on continuity of care, opportunity to deal with a variety of medical problems, the ability to use a wide range of skills and knowledge, early exposure to the discipline, opportunity to teach and perform research and the influence of family or friends were important factors in determining choice of a career in family medicine
Advances in Knowledge - This study evaluates factors influencing choice of a career in family medicine compared with other specialties among Omani junior doctors applying to Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residency programmes. - Various factors were found to predict choice of a career in family medicine including age, gender, marital status and place of residence. - applicants to the OMSB family medicine residency programme highlighted continuity of care, the opportunity to deal with a variety of medical problems, the ability to use a wide range of skills and knowledge and early exposure to the discipline as important influences on their choice of specialty
Summary
This study aimed to determine factors influencing junior doctors’ choice of a career in family medicine. Emphasis on continuity of care, opportunity to deal with a variety of medical problems, the ability to use a wide range of skills and knowledge, early exposure to the discipline, opportunity to teach and perform research and the influence of family or friends were important factors in determining choice of a career in family medicine. Conclusion: Knowledge of the factors influencing career choice among junior doctors may be useful in determining future admission policies in order to increase the number of family physicians in Oman. أن شخ صية المتقدمين لطب الأ سرة كانت غالب ًا تتميزMBTI كما ك شف تحليل م ؤ شر، علاوة على ذلك.اختيار م سار التدريب في طب الأ سرة
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