Ophthalmology as a Career Choice of Rotatory Medical Interns at Two Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria Middle Belt

Abstract

The distribution of medical manpower among the various specialties should be of interest to government, health care planners and medical education of any nation. With this in mind, this study was design to determine the factors that may influence this specialty choice amongst interns especially in Nigerian middle belt. Ophthalmology is a unique field of medicine that combines the hypothesis generating intellectual aspect of diagnosis with the opportunity to perform procedures both in clinic and in the operating theatre. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi and Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi with a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 61 questionnaires were given out with 52 completely answered and returned given a response rate of 85.2% over a two week period. The mean age of the rotatory medical interns was 30.08 years with the youngest, 23 years and oldest, 42 years and a range of 19. Forty four (44) (84.6%) were male and eight (8) (15.4%) were female. The respondents mean age was 30.08 years with a range of 19. This is a dynamic work force and if effectively utilized will go a long way in the efforts at providing quality health care to the populace. The study also shows a significant relationship between the medical school attended and the choice of specialty. Concluding, factors influencing interns’ specialty choice should guide government’s health administrators and educators as they may be responsible for mal-distribution of medical manpower across the various specialties.