Perceptions of Sri Lankan medical students on selecting and pursuing medicine as a career

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Although the choice of pursuing medicine as a career has long been a topic of interest, the rapidly changing socioeconomic environment warrants a revisit. This study explored the current factors which influence this choice among medical students. METHODS: A mixed-method study was conducted among first and fourth year students in the Faculties of Medicine of universities of Kelaniya, Colombo and Sri Jayewardenepura. The perceptions of 30 medical students were explored using focus group discussions. The contents were thematically analysed to develop a valid self-administered questionnaire, which was given to 364 medical students. The responses were analysed both descriptively and inferentially. RESULTS: A total of 63.5% respondents were females and 44% were first-year students. The foremost reason for selecting medicine was to help people (mean= 2.28). The least important reason was parental pressure (mean=1.5). A/L marks (mean=2.19), social status of being a doctor (mean=1.74), job guarantee (mean=1.83) and self-interest (mean=1.98) were ranked in between. The regret of choosing medicine as a career was higher among females (p=0.035) and fourth-year students than their counterparts. The reasons appeared to be the stressfully high workload and external political issues in medical education. The interest on postgraduate studies was higher among 1st A/L attempt entrants than 3rd A/L attempt entrants (p=0.011); the interest appeared to grow along the course. CONCLUSION: Choosing medicine still has an altruistic preponderance. However, a regret of selecting medicine appears to grow along the course. The desire to pursue postgraduate studies is more if entered to medical school in the 1st attempt.