scholarly journals Specialty career preferences among final year medical students at Makerere University College of health sciences, Uganda: a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Kuteesa ◽  
Victor Musiime ◽  
Ian G. Munabi ◽  
Aloysius G. Mubuuke ◽  
Robert Opoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Career Preferences

Abstract Background Uganda has an imbalanced distribution of the health workforce, which may be influenced by the specialty career preferences of medical students. In spite of this, there is inadequate literature concerning the factors influencing specialty career preferences. We aimed to determine the specialty career preferences and the factors influencing the preferences among fifth year medical students in the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design with a descriptive cross-sectional study followed by a qualitative study was used. A total of 135 final year medical students in MakCHS were recruited using consecutive sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and three focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed in STATA version 13 (StataCorp, College Station, Tx, USA) using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed in NVIVO version 12 (QRS International, Cambridge, MA) using content analysis. Results Of 135 students 91 (67.4%) were male and their median age was 24 years (IQR: 24, 26). As a first choice, the most preferred specialty career was obstetrics and gynecology (34/135, 25.2%), followed by surgery (27/135, 20.0%), pediatrics (18/135, 13.3%) and internal medicine (17/135, 12.6%). Non-established specialties such as anesthesia and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) were not selected as a first choice by any student. Female students had 63% less odds of selecting surgical related specialties compared to males (aOR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.17–0.84). The focus group discussions highlighted controlled lifestyle, assurance of a good life through better financial remuneration and inspirational specialists as facilitators for specialty preference. Bad experience during the clinical rotations, lack of career guidance plus perceived poor and miserable specialists were highlighted as barriers to specialty preference. Conclusion Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine are well-established disciplines, which were dominantly preferred. Females were less likely to select surgical disciplines as a career choice. Therefore, there is a need to implement or establish career guidance and mentorship programs to attract students to the neglected disciplines.

Specialty career preferences among final year medical students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda: A mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Kuteesa ◽  
Victor Musiime ◽  
Ian G. Munabi ◽  
Aloysius G. Mubuuke ◽  
Robert Opoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Career Preferences

Abstract Background: Uganda has an imbalanced distribution of the health workforce, which may be influenced by the specialty career preferences of medical students. In spite of this, there is inadequate literature concerning the factors influencing specialty career preferences. We aimed to determine the specialty career preferences and the factors influencing the preferences among fifth year medical students in the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design with a descriptive cross-sectional study followed by a qualitative study was used. A total of 135 final year medical students in MakCHS were recruited using consecutive sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and three focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed in STATA version 13 (StataCorp, College Station, Tx, USA) using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed in NVIVO version 12 (QRS International, Cambridge, MA) using content analysis.Results: Of 135 students 91 (67.4%) were male and their median age was 24 years (IQR: 24, 26). As a first choice, the most preferred specialty career was obstetrics and gynecology (34/135, 25.2%), followed by surgery (27/135, 20.0%), pediatrics (18/135, 13.3%) and internal medicine (17/135, 12.6%). Non-established specialties such as anesthesia and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) were not selected as a first choice by any student. Female students had 63% less odds of selecting surgical related specialties compared to males (aOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.84). The focus group discussions highlighted controlled lifestyle, assurance of a good life through better financial remuneration and inspirational specialists as facilitators for specialty preference. Bad experience during the clinical rotations, lack of career guidance plus perceived poor and miserable specialists were highlighted as barriers to specialty preference.Conclusion. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine are well-established disciplines, which were dominantly preferred. Females were less likely to select surgical disciplines as a career choice. Therefore, there is a need to implement or establish career guidance and mentorship programs to attract students to the neglected disciplines.

scholarly journals Specialty Career Preferences among Final Year Medical Students at the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Kuteesa ◽  
Victor Musiime ◽  
Ian G. Munabi ◽  
Aloysius G. Mubuuke ◽  
Robert Opoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
School Of Medicine ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Career Preferences

Abstract Background : Uganda has an imbalanced distribution of the health workforce, which may be influenced by the specialty career preferences of medical students. In spite of this, there is inadequate literature concerning the factors influencing specialty career preferences in our setting. We aimed to determine the specialty career preferences and the factors influencing the preferences among final year medical students in the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design with a descriptive cross-sectional study followed by a qualitative study was used. A total of 135 final year medical students in MakCHS were recruited using consecutive sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and three focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed in STATA version 13 (StataCorp, College Station, Tx, USA) using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed in NVIVO version 12 (QRS International, Cambridge, MA) using content analysis. Results: Of 135 students 91 (67.4%) were male and their median age was 24 years (IQR: 24, 26). As a first choice, the most preferred specialty career was obstetrics and gynecology (34/135, 25.2%), followed by surgery (27/135, 20.0%), pediatrics (18/135, 13.3%) and internal medicine (17/135, 12.6%). Non-established specialties such as anesthesia and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) were not selected as a first choice by any student. Female students had 63% less odds of selecting surgical related specialties compared to males (aOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.84) . The focus group discussions highlighted controlled lifestyle, assurance of a good life through better financial remuneration and inspirational specialists as facilitators for specialty preference. Bad experience during the clinical rotations, lack of career guidance plus perceived poor and miserable specialists were highlighted as barriers to specialty preference. Conclusion. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine are well-established disciplines, which were dominantly preferred. Females were less likely to select surgical disciplines given the perceived effects on lifestyle by these disciplines for example interruption of family life. Therefore, a need to formulate career guidance and mentorship programs is required, to attract students to the neglected disciplines.

scholarly journals Specialty Career Preferences among Final Year Medical Students at the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Kuteesa ◽  
Victor Musiime ◽  
Ian G. Munabi ◽  
Aloysius G. Mubuuke ◽  
Robert Opoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
School Of Medicine ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Career Preferences

Abstract Background: Uganda has an imbalanced distribution of the health workforce, which may be influenced by the specialty career preferences of medical students. In spite of this, there is inadequate literature concerning the factors influencing specialty career preferences. We aimed to determine the specialty career preferences and the factors influencing the preferences among fifth year medical students in the School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design with a descriptive cross-sectional study followed by a qualitative study was used. A total of 135 final year medical students in MakCHS were recruited using consecutive sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and three focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed in STATA version 13 (StataCorp, College Station, Tx, USA) using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed in NVIVO version 12 (QRS International, Cambridge, MA) using content analysis.Results: Of 135 students 91 (67.4%) were male and their median age was 24 years (IQR: 24, 26). As a first choice, the most preferred specialty career was obstetrics and gynecology (34/135, 25.2%), followed by surgery (27/135, 20.0%), pediatrics (18/135, 13.3%) and internal medicine (17/135, 12.6%). Non-established specialties such as anesthesia and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) were not selected as a first choice by any student. Female students had 63% less odds of selecting surgical related specialties compared to males (aOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.84). The focus group discussions highlighted controlled lifestyle, assurance of a good life through better financial remuneration and inspirational specialists as facilitators for specialty preference. Bad experience during the clinical rotations, lack of career guidance plus perceived poor and miserable specialists were highlighted as barriers to specialty preference.Conclusion. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine are well-established disciplines, which were dominantly preferred. Females were less likely to select surgical disciplines given the perceived effects on lifestyle by these disciplines for example interruption of family life. Therefore, a need to formulate career guidance and mentorship programs is required, to attract students to the neglected disciplines.

scholarly journals Vaccination coverage and the factors influencing routine childhood vaccination uptake among communities experiencing disadvantage in Vellore, southern India: a mixed-methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Rohit Francis ◽  
J. Pekka Nuorti ◽  
Kirsi Lumme-Sandt ◽  
Rajeev Zachariah Kompithra ◽  
Vinohar Balraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Factors Influencing

Abstract Background In 2015, the Vellore district in southern India was selected for intensified routine immunization, targeting children from communities experiencing disadvantage such as migrant, tribal, and other hard-to-reach groups. This mixed-methods study was conducted to assess routine immunization coverage and the factors influencing childhood vaccination uptake among these communities in Vellore. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional household survey (n = 100) and six focus group discussions (n = 43) among parents of children aged 12–23 months from the known communities experiencing disadvantage in Vellore during 2017 and 2018. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine associations between the parental characteristics and children’s vaccination status in the household survey data; the qualitative discussions were analyzed by using the (previously published) “5As” taxonomy for the determinants of vaccine uptake. Results In the household survey, the proportions of fully vaccinated children were 65% (95% CI: 53–76%) and 77% (95% CI: 58–88%) based on information from vaccination cards or parental recall and vaccination cards alone, respectively. Children whose mothers were wage earners [Adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR): 0.21, 95% CI = 0.07–0.64], or salaried/small business owners [aPOR: 0.18, 95% CI = 0.04–0.73] were less likely to be fully vaccinated than children who had homemakers mothers. In the focus group discussions, parents identified difficulties in accessing routine immunization when travelling for work and showed knowledge gaps regarding the benefits and risks of vaccination, and fears surrounding certain vaccines due to negative news reports and common side-effects following childhood vaccination. Conclusions Vaccination coverage among children from the surveyed communities in Vellore was suboptimal. Our findings suggest the need to target children from Narikuravar families and conduct periodic community-based health education campaigns to improve parental awareness about and trust in childhood vaccines among the communities experiencing disadvantage in Vellore.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing The Choice Of Ophthalmology As A Career Amongst Students Of Dow University Of Health Sciences, Karachi

2019 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. 202-205
Author(s):  
Hamidullah Ariff ◽  
Khowaja Faiz-ur-Rab ◽  
Shehlaa Dareshani ◽  
Tarique Saleem ◽  
Masood Hussain Rao
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
High Income ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Major Factors

Objective: To determine the factors influencing the choice of Ophthalmology as a career amongst Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Study design and Setting: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on fourth and final year students of Dow Medical College, DUHS, Karachi through non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Methodology: Before conducting the study, permission from the Principal of Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences was taken. Overall 244 students were selected willing to participate in the study after having their written consent. A structured questionnaire with minor modification and after pretest was provided to them. All the information was filled by the student on their own reliability. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS version 21.0. The quantitative data was assessed through mean and standard deviation whereas frequencies and percentages were developed for qualitative data. Chi square test was applied to determine any significant correlation between different variables. Result: According to analysis of the data, 77% female and 23% male medical students of fourth and final year participated in the study. Overall 8.65% students were given their first choice of Ophthalmology which is at 4th rank in all specialties after internal medicine, cardiology and paediatrics. The major factors which influence them to select Ophthalmology as their first choice were high income, less working hours and experience of medical and surgical field. The major factors, which restrict them not to choose Ophthalmology as a career, wereless opportunity of residency, long duration of residency and less opportunity at private sector. Conclusion: Ophthalmology is at 4th rank in the choice of participated medical students. The factors attracted them to choose it were high income, less working hours and no night shift. However less opportunity of residency and less working opportunity at private sector restricted them not to choose the ophthalmology as their career.

scholarly journals A mixed methods approach to determine the climate of interprofessional education among medical and health sciences students

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Sulaiman ◽  
Youssef Rishmawy ◽  
Amal Hussein ◽  
Maha Saber-Ayad ◽  
Hamzah Alzubaidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Health Sciences Students

Abstract Background High-quality patient care is a complex phenomenon that requires collaboration among healthcare professionals. Research has shown that Interprofessional Education (IPE) carries promise to improve collaborative work and patient care. So far, collaboration among various health professionals remains a challenge. Very few focus group discussions to determine the medical students’ readiness and positive attitudes towards IPE have been reported from the Arabian context. Methods A two-staged sequential mixed methods study was conducted among medical, dental, pharmacy, and health sciences students of the University of Sharjah United Arab Emirates. The perspectives of students toward IPE and collaborative practice were first gathered by administering a validated instrument, Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). This was followed by focused group discussions. A quantitative as well as a qualitative data analysis was performed. Results This study cohort included 282 students. All respondents showed readiness to adopt IPE as all statements of the RIPLS inventory scored high median scores. All participants showed positive attitudes and readiness towards IPE. Three main domains of themes were generated from focus group discussions; prior knowledge, need for IPE framework and its implementation. Information workload, lack of clarity and less focused teaching pedagogies of IPE were considered as perceived barriers. Conclusion This study demonstrated a substantial agreement of medical and health sciences students towards readiness and perceived effectiveness of IPE. Educators are urged to embed new IPE programs into existing curricular frameworks, which can potentially enhance collaborative learning and improve quality of patient care.

scholarly journals Exploration of undergraduate preservice teachers' experiences learning advocacy: A mixed-methods study

2014 ◽  
pp. 75-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelley Erin Carpenter Massengale ◽  
Cherese Childers-McKee ◽  
Aerin Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Letter Writing ◽  
College Instruction ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Meaningful Activity ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
The Impact

Abstract: Applying transformational critical advocacy research in college instruction can be a powerful way to engage students in challenging inequity in society and promoting positive changes. Few studies systematically measure the impact of such pedagogy on the development of college students’ beliefs about advocacy. In this mixed methods study, we worked with 21 preservice teachers through advocacy letter writing activities and collected data from pre/post surveys and focus group discussions to explore the impact of such pedagogy. The findings indicated that advocacy letter writing was a meaningful activity for preservice teachers, allowing them a professional opportunity to voice their concerns about personally meaningful issues to entities in power. A significant correlation was found between baseline advocacy experiences and baseline advocacy beliefs, suggesting that the teaching of advocacy, when combined with opportunities for meaningful practice, can contribute to shifts in belief about the importance of advocating. 

The effective coping strategies against burnout: perceptions of Pakistani medical students.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Maryam Abbasi ◽  
Mohammad Al Eraky ◽  
Rahila Yasmeen ◽  
Rabia Ashfaq ◽  
Admin
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Professional Efficacy ◽  
Burn Out

Abstract Objective: To explore the effective coping strategies used by medical students against burnout. Method: The study was a mixed method study design. The Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) was used to identify burnout after which focus group discussions were carried out. Results: In our study, 56% of the students had high levels of Emotional Exhaustion, 23% had moderate and 21 % has low levels of EE, on the Cynicism scale 63% scored high,32% scored moderate while 5% scored low on cynicism scale. For professional efficacy 28% students scored low,50% scored moderate and 22% scored high on professional efficacy scale. Students with high scores on EE and Cynicism and low scores on Professional Efficacy were considered as burnt out. To determine coping strategies, focus group discussions and interviews with students with high burnout and low burnout were carried out. Seeking emotional support for coping was very common in the high burn out group. This involved getting moral support, sympathy and understanding. Parents played the main role in providing support to these students. Turning to religion, acceptance and venting were also seen as commonly used coping strategies. In the low burn out group, friends were the main source of support. Turning to religion was also found in this group. Doing extracurricular activities, positive reinterpretation and mental disengagement were also used to cope with stressful events. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to promote positive coping strategies in students who are suffering from or at risk of developing burnout. Continuous...

scholarly journals Perceptions of Malaysian medical students from different academic years on primary care: a qualitative research

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000188
Author(s):  
Sook Ching Chan ◽  
Jaya Vinoshairine Ganeson ◽  
Jee Tat Ong ◽  
Sandheep Sugathan
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Primary Care Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Career Pathway

ObjectiveTo explore the perception of medical students from a private medical college in Perak, Malaysia, on primary care practice and induce the factors influencing their perception and willingness to consider primary care as a career pathway.DesignQualitative study using focus group discussions. Participants’ responses were audio recorded, transcribed, grouped under various domains and listed out and analysed.SettingA private medical college in Perak state, Malaysia.ParticipantsForty-six medical students from years 2 to 5 were included. Eight focus groups were formed with two focus groups from each academic year (six students each in seven groups and four students in one group). Students were informed through their respective student leader of each year and received a participant information sheet and an informed consent form which were completed and returned if they decided to participate in the focus group discussions.ResultsThe participants had different levels of understanding of primary care depending on their level of exposure to primary care. Senior students with more exposure had a better understanding about primary care and its services. Attractive factors towards choosing primary care as a career included short working hours with a more balanced family and social life, being able to treat patients as a whole with continuity of care and closer relationship with patients. Unattractive factors included routine, unchallenging and boring practice, poor salary, work overload and administrative work in government clinics, being less recognised by other specialties; and the poor perception by other doctors that those pursuing primary care were not ‘brilliant enough’ for more ‘sophisticated disciplines like surgery or paediatrics’.ConclusionThis study showed that the medical students’ level of exposure to primary care played a crucial role in determining their understanding of primary care practice and their choice of career in primary care. Issues to be addressed include remuneration, workload and the prejudice against primary care as a career pathway. Suggestions included introducing early exposure to fun and challenging primary care postings in the medical curriculum and producing well trained, skilled and enthusiastic role models.

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