scholarly journals Choice of speciality amongst first-year medical students in the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Author(s):  
Onyemaechi O. Azu ◽  
Edwin Naidu ◽  
Jesse Naidu

Background: Trends in career choice amongst medical graduates have considerable implications for the percentage of the workforce available for training.Objective: To investigate and review factors affecting career choice by undergraduate firstyearmedical students.Method: This was a cross-sectional study using a closed-ended, semi-structured surveyinstrument. Two hundred and four questionnaires were administered to all first-year medical students at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine in the first term of the 2012 academic session.Results: The questionnaire was completed by 167 out of 204 students (81.8% response rate). Most of the respondents were South Africans (91%) and blacks (72%), with a higher proportion of women to men (2:1). The majority (86%) intended to undertake their postgraduate training in surgical specialties (53%), general surgery (50%) and cardiology (46%). Few were interested in an academic career in basic sciences (27.6%), either because they were not interested in research and/or teaching (48%), not clinically-orientated (20%), or found it to be an unattractive choice (12.3%). The top perceived career-related factors favouring choice of speciality were personal interest and benefits to patients as many (83%) respondents still viewed the medical profession as having a bright future in South Africa.Conclusions: Our study highlighted the fact that self and patient interests were strong determinants of speciality choices by the students and the role of parents and practice inrural areas were considered least as potential influencing factors. This would appear to be a good indicator that the healthcare sector may be boosted in the future by doctors who are wholeheartedly committed to the service of the communities with the greatest disease burden.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e041860
Author(s):  
Xuemei Cui ◽  
Ning Ding ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Honghe Li ◽  
Deliang Wen

ObjectivesEarly professionalism education for first-year students is important for generating sound knowledge and attitudes towards medical professionalism. Of the many factors affecting professionalism and professional identity formation in medical students, career choice motivation is an understudied one. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the career choice motivations of first-year medical students and their understanding of professionalism.Settings and participantsA cross-sectional survey of 940 first-year clinical medicine students was conducted at China Medical University in September 2017 to explore students’ motivation to study medicine and its relationship with students’ understanding of professionalism. Demographics, career choice motivation and professionalism were obtained through paper questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the association between career choice motivation and understanding of professionalism while controlling for potential demographic confounders.ResultsThe most common career choice motivations for first-year medical students (N=843) were interested in the health sciences, income and social status and advocating altruism. The most mentioned subdimensions of professionalism were accountability, pursuit of excellence and compassion. There were significant differences in the understanding of professionalism among students with different career choice motivations.ConclusionFirst-year medical students with different motivations to study medicine also have different understandings of professionalism. Medical educators can explore motivations to learning medicine as a new entry point to providing professionalism education for newly enrolled medical students.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110181
Author(s):  
Sam Sugimoto ◽  
Drew Recker ◽  
Elizabeth E. Halvorson ◽  
Joseph A. Skelton

Background. Many diseases are linked to lifestyle in the United States, yet physicians receive little training in nutrition. Medical students’ prior knowledge of nutrition and cooking is unknown. Objective. To determine incoming medical students’ prior nutrition knowledge, culinary skills, and nutrition habits. Methods. A dual-methods study of first-year medical students. Cross-sectional survey assessing prior knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous education of cooking and nutrition. Interviews of second-year medical students explored cooking and nutrition in greater depth. Results. A total of 142 first-year medical students participated; 16% had taken a nutrition course, with majority (66%) learning outside classroom settings. Students had a mean score of 87% on the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire versus comparison group (64.9%). Mean cooking and food skills score were lower than comparison scores. Overall, students did not meet guidelines for fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Interviews with second-year students revealed most learned to cook from their families; all believed it important for physicians to have this knowledge. Conclusions. Medical students were knowledgeable about nutrition, but typically self-taught. They were not as confident or skilled in cooking, and mostly learned from their family. They expressed interest in learning more about nutrition and cooking.


Open Medicine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmond Girasek ◽  
Regina Molnár ◽  
Edit Eke ◽  
Miklós Szócska

AbstractSome decades ago being a medical doctor was characterized unambiguously as a profession that offers help and serves the patients’ needs during medical treatment. In today’s society, this image of the medical profession has been substantially changed. The present paper aims to examine medical career choice motivations and preferences of choosing speciality, in the light of current social and economic changes in Hungary. The study was carried out by using a voluntary, self-administrated, questionnaire among first-year medical students and resident doctors in four medical faculties in Hungary. The career choice motivations of the first-year medical students and resident doctors are similar and match to the traditional health profession career choice motivations. Nevertheless the first-year students consider high income as one of the most important factors. They appear more conscious and more ambitious regarding their future speciality choice. The Hungarian health care system and medical education must be prepared for the presence of students that are aware of the high market value of a medical diploma, have excellent language skills, and consider migration as one main factor in their motivation when choosing a medical profession.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (09) ◽  
pp. 1895-1901
Author(s):  
Ahmed Murtaz Khalid ◽  
Noman Sadiq ◽  
Aiman Farogh Anjum ◽  
Iffat Naiyar Hashmi ◽  
Misbah Aslam ◽  
...  

Objectives: To know the perception of peer-learning among first batch of 1st year medical students in CMH Kharian Medical College. Study Design: Cross-Sectional study. Setting: CMH Kharian Medical College. Period: June 2018 and September 2018. Material & Methods: Questionnaire was distributed among hundred first year medical students on self-reflection and feedback after 15 min power point presentation given by their fellow students based on different pathophysiological scenarios. Results: Out of 100 students, 85 filled out questionnaire form completely. 60% of students were of the opinion that peer-learning facilitated them to perform better in the exam, and can be continued for future batches. 50% of students agreed that this innovative learning modality was conducted in a systematic manner, helped them to improve their understanding of the subject and learning was fostered based on the principles of self-reflection and feedback. Problem solving ability was improved by peer learning format according to 49% of students, while 47% of students reported that this innovative learning strategy provided them with a tool to improve their learning through interaction, while research capabilities of 37% students were improved. Conclusion: Majority of first year medical students lacking senior guidance learned better in a comfortable environment from their peers, and improved understanding of the core subject by realizing the implication of the concept of self-reflection and feedback.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidos K. Bolatov

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the relationships between academic motivation and the psychological well-being of 1st-year medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of respondents in the cross-sectional study was 273. Intrinsic motivation was positively correlated with fear of COVID-19 and negatively correlated with psychological collapse and negative changes in quality of life due to the COVID-19. Extrinsic motivation positively associated with fear of COVID-19. Amotivation positively correlated with psychological collapse and negative changes in quality of life. In conclusion, COVID-19-related changes in quality of life and psychological destruction were predictors of academic motivation among 1st-year medical students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (236) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Shah ◽  
Alisha Sapkota ◽  
Anjeel Chhetri

Introduction: Medical students are prone to develop stress, anxiety and depression owing to vastness of curriculum, hectic lifestyle, economic burden, and competitiveness of medical field. The study aims to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year medical students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 first-year students of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery enrolled in a tertiary care hospital using depression, anxiety, and stress-42 scale along with a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and stressors for their problems. Whole sampling was done and the study was conducted between June and July 2018 after taking ethical approval from the Research and Institutional Review Committee (Reference Number: 57-074/075). Results: The highest prevalence among undergraduate medical students was found to be anxiety 54 (59.3%), followed by stress 41 (45.1%) and depression 40 (44%). Conclusions: Almost half of the first-year medical students reported some level of depression, anxiety, or stress. It is important to implement programs in the early years of the medical school from the administrative level to help and identify students suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress.


Author(s):  
Vedalaveni Chowdappa Suresh ◽  
Wilma Delphine Silvia CR ◽  
Swarna Buddha Nayok

Background: There has been exponential increase in usage of internet in our daily routine, which can foster addictive behaviors. Adolescents and teenagers are vulnerable for such addictive behaviors, which can provide them a way of escape from stress, which they encounter during their prolonged academic career. Objective: To determine the internet usage pattern, assess internet addiction and its correlation with psychological status among first year medical students. Material and Methods: The study sample consisted of 150 first year medical students. Young’s 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21[DASS-21], were administered. Results: The results showed higher rates of internet usage in addictive pattern (87.4%) among the students with females having milder addiction whereas males had equal distribution of mild to moderate addiction. Further, psychological distress specially anxiety (P<0.001) and depression (P=0.002) had significant correlation with addictive behaviors. Conclusion: Medical students undergo stressful situations during their extensive academic career. Psychological disturbances can lead to internet addiction. Hence, measures to be taken to educate and bring about awareness to promote psychological well-being and appropriate internet usage pattern among medical students.


Biomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Kalpana Ramachandran ◽  
Robert Dinesh Kumar

Introduction and Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption in the academic schedule. As UNESCO observes an 87% interruption in student learning across the globe, it is undeniable that e-learning would have a major role to play in the future and both teachers and learners are getting accustomed to this ‘New Normalcy’. This survey analyses the perception of medical first-year students about online learning in the COVID-19 era.   Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study was done and first year medical students were asked to respond. The respondents were asked to answer the questions in Likert-scale, from 1-5. Statistical analysis was done and Test for one proportion was calculated using ‘z’ test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.   Results: A total of 122 first year medical students responded to the survey. More than two-thirds of the respondents were females (67%). About 78% of respondents find online learning interesting and enjoyable. More than 80% of students found online education very satisfactory in all aspects. Problems with internet connectivity was the principal challenge faced by the students during online learning. An overwhelming 70% of students felt online teaching to be very beneficial.   Conclusion: The pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the academic schedule. Although many challenges were faced by the teachers and learners, internet connectivity continued to be a major problem in online education. It is the duty of every educationist to ensure an uninterrupted, continuous and an effective process of teaching and learning.  


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