Preference of Specialty Selection In MBBS Medical Students in Government and Private Medical Colleges of Pakistan (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The graduate students of medical colleges comparatively have distinct intentions and certain interests upon whom they decide to enter any specific and specialized practical field of medicine. In fact, career selection of medical students perceived to be very honorable because it provides them an opportunity for serving mankind more than that of any other aspect. OBJECTIVE To study the trends selection in MBBS Medical students and to compare the preferences in private and government medical colleges METHODS The study is cross-sectional observational study that was carried out from July -2019 to Jan- 2020 in first to third year male and female undergraduate (MBBS) medical students at CMH Lahore Medical College of Lahore, Punjab and undergraduate students (MBBS) from Fatima Jinnah Medical University. Data from 588 questionnaires was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0. The normality of the data was analyzed using shipharo wilk test. Modified Schwartz method was used to classify the specialties as having either a controllable or uncontrollable lifestyle. Chi square test was used to evaluate differences between the choice of preference of specialties along with choice of controllable and uncontrollable lifestyle careers among the public and the private medical college students. A p-value≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 660 questionnaires administered, 588 (98%) were completed and returned comprising more of females respondents 54% compared to males. The prime most reason for the specialty selection was interest, comprising more than half of the students in all the groups preferred to choose their specialty on their interest basis. Surgery was in the top most of the trend but a statistically significant inclination towards medicine was noted in 3rd year student when compared to 1st year students in both the categories of the colleges p value (0.05). More female students preferring pediatrics, medicine and gynecology p value (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS : Most students perceive surgery as a very preferred and fascinating specialty when the students enter medical field .As the years advance they are inclined towards medicine. Females prefer pediatrics, medicine and gynecology .