Factors Influencing Medical Students in Choosing Medicine as a Career

• Published in: Online journal of health & allied sciences : OJHAS 2019-01, Vol.17 (4)
• Main Authors: Zayapragassarazan Zayabalaradjane, Abhishekh B, Madhusudhanan Ponnusamy, Nivedita Nanda, Kadambari Dharanipragada, Santosh Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: First year Medical students; MBBS Selection; Medicine as a career; Motivation; Undergraduate Medical Education
• ISSN: 0972-5997; 0972-5997

Motivation is an important factor influencing important outcomes in medical education. The choice of medicine as a higher study depends upon various factors such as interest in the medical field, good job opportunities, a desire to serve others, medical background of the parents and many more. This study is aimed at identifying those factors influencing medical students in choosing medicine as a career. As part of the first day of the foundation program for first year MBBS students of a tertiary care teaching hospital, the students were asked to introduce themselves in front of faculty, parents of the students, and fellow batch mates and also to say in their own words, “Why did they choose medicine as their career?” in a few sentences. The responses from 141 students were compiled and subjected for qualitative analysis. This study found out that there are several factors influencing the choice of career in medicine, however, highly influencing factors among this group were found to be the influence by parents and the perceived respect that they would get in the society. The responses were further grouped into different themes and discussed with reference to similar studies conducted in other parts of the world.