Factors influencing urology physicians in Saudi Arabia for choosing their subspecialty program

• Published in: Urology annals 2020-10, Vol.12 (4), p.335-340
• Main Authors: Alasim, Haithm, Arafa, Mostafa, Rabah, Danny, Alrawaf, Fahad, Almanie, Abdulaziz, Alkhamshi, Abdullah, Almotairi, Abdulrhman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: fellows; Original; Physicians; residents; saudi arabia; subspecialty; Surveys; Training; Urology; urology physicians
• ISSN: 0974-7796; 0974-7834
• DOI: 10.4103/UA.UA_9_20

Aim: The aim of the study was to identify factors that influence urology physicians for choosing subspecialty and to know the most competitive urology subspecialty among residents. Methodology: An online questionnaire was sent to all Saudi Urology residents, registrars, and fellows all over Saudi Arabia, during February 2019-June 2019. The survey included demographic data, level and location of training, a subspecialty of interest, as well as 15 influencing factors that could affect physicians' choice in the form of Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree = 0 to strongly agree = 4. Results: Of the 193 urology Saudi physicians, 85 replied (44.1%). Their mean age was 29 + 3.2 years. The majority of them were male (98.8%). There were 66 (77.6%) residents, 12 (14.1%) were fellows, and 7 (8.2%) were registrars. Four factors were found to be significantly different across positions, i.e., personal interest in the subspecialty, patient's prognosis, potential to join a private hospital, and family/friend advice. Among residents, the highest score means of the impact factors were the patient's prognosis, potential to join a private hospital and family/friend advice. The most prominent factors that influence urology physicians to select their subspecialty were personal interest in the specialty (88.2%), followed by the patient prognosis and lifestyle (84.7%, 78.8%). About 28.2% of the participants have a desire of endourology, followed by infertility and pediatric urology (23.5% and 20%, respectively). Conclusion: The most influencing factors among urology physicians for choosing their subspecialty are the patient's prognosis and personal interest. Female medical graduates should be encouraged to join a urology residency.