Career trends & influences on medical career choice among female medical students

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors that influence the future career choice among female medical students of Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU). Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi. Period: 1^st July 2021 to 31^st August 2021. Material & Methods: Female students of 3^rd, 4^th and final year MBBS were included. Students were asked to complete a pre-designed questionnaire, which included demographic details and parameters such as, marital status, plan to have children in future, house job and post graduation preferances. Results: Four hundred fifty three students were included in this study. 69.8% students were neither married nor engaged. 32.5% had no intention of extending their family in next 5 years. Majority of the students (73.1%) chose medical profession on their own wish. About 96.2% females were planning to do house job. Out of these, 97.5% had already planned to pursue their post graduation. A quarter of medical students planned to pursue postgraduate training as well as family progression in the next 5 years (66.7% vs 25.7%). Current marital status, family extension in next 5 years, and reasons for adopting medical profession were found to be statistically significant, when compared to future career progression. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Female medical students in pakistan are becoming more career oriented and taking decisions independently.