Ophthalmic Microsurgery Lab for Medical Students: Enhancing Learner Intrinsic Motivation and Comfort with Microsurgery

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an ophthalmic microsurgery laboratory on medical students' intrinsic motivation, explicit interest in ophthalmology, and comfort with microsurgical skills. Design In this noncontrolled trial, medical students attended a Zoom-based lecture on corneal suturing, watched an instructional video on operating microscopes, and attended a wet laboratory on corneal suturing. Participants completed pre- and posttest surveys assessing comfort with microsurgical skills and explicit interest in ophthalmology. Additionally, the posttest survey included items from the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Setting This study was conducted at a single academic medical center. Participants A total of 20 students enrolled in the MD program at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Results Pre- and posttest response rates were 100% (n = 20) and 90% (n = 18), respectively. Comfort with microsurgical skills increased significantly between pre- and posttest surveys with large effect sizes (95% confidence interval [CI]; p-value): loading a needle, 1.67 (1.04–2.29; p < 0.001); passing a suture, 1.72 (1.04–2.40; p < 0.001); knot tying, 1.05 (0.34–1.76; p = 0.004); using a microscope, 0.83 (0.04–1.63; p = 0.040); and suturing under a microscope, 1.44 (0.88–2.00; p < 0.001). Comparing pre- and posttest surveys, students reporting moderate to extreme interest in ophthalmology increased from 44 to 61%. Intrinsic motivation was high, indicated by the mean IMI Interest score reaching 93% of the maximum score. Multiple linear regression analyses predicted that IMI Interest scores increased with higher scores of familiarity (p = 0.002), explicit interest in ophthalmology (p = 0.042), and comfort with microscopes (p = 0.005), knot tying (p = 0.026), and performing surgical maneuvers under a microscope (p = 0.032). Conclusion Ophthalmic microsurgery laboratories may increase medical students' explicit interest in ophthalmology, comfort with microsurgical skills, and intrinsic motivation. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of microsurgical electives on students' objective skills and specialty selection.

Effect of Anticipated Lifestyle and Income on Medical Students' Decision to Pursue a Primary Care Career in Saudi Arabia

Background: This study examines factors that influence Saudi Arabian medical school students in their selection of primary care as their career specialty. We focused on the two main factors identified to influence medical students generally in consideration of career specialty: lifestyle and income. We surveyed all fourth- and fifth-year students at 10 medical schools in the Riyad region using a questionnaire regarding factors influencing their intended specialty choice; 1005 (64%) completed the questionnaire. Results: The clear majority (77% of students) considered lifestyle characteristics to be a significant influence in their career decision to enter a specialty versus primary care (P<0.05). There was also significant relationship (p < 0.005) between students’ specialty choices and importance attached to anticipated income. Conclusion: Lifestyle and income consideration are important influences on specialty selection among 4th and 5th year Saudi Arabian medical students. These results are in consistent with findings of previous studies conducted in many nations around the world.

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 .

Career decision making in undergraduate medical education

Background: It is unclear how medical students prioritize different factors when selecting a specialty. With rising under and unemployment rates a novel approach to career counselling is becoming increasingly important. A better understanding of specialty selection could lead to improved career satisfaction amongst graduates while also meeting the health care needs of Canadians. Methods: Medical students from the University of Toronto participated in a two-phase study looking at factors impacting specialty selection. Phase I consisted of focus groups, conducted independently for each year, and Phase II was a 21-question electronic survey sent to all students. Results: Twenty-one students participated in the focus group phase and 95 in the survey phase. Primary themes related to career selection identified in Phase I in order of frequency included personal life factors (36), professional life factors (36), passion/interest (20), changing interests (19) and hidden curriculum (15). The survey phase had similar results with passion (83), lifestyle (79), flexibility (75), employment opportunities (60) and family (50) being ranked as the factors most important in specialty selection. Conclusion: Personal factors, professional factors and passion/interest may be key themes for medical students when deciding which specialty to pursue. Targeting career counselling around these areas may be important.