Internal Medicine as a Career Choice by Medical Undergraduates in a Developing Country

Abstract

Career choice is a very crucial decision for medical students. Information regarding area of specialization of medical students is important to plan human resources for health and ensure a fair, equitable and quality health care service in a country. This study aims to determine the rate of selection of internal medicine as an area of specialization as well as factors that influence medical students when choosing specialties in a Nigerian medical school. Methods: Fourth, fifth and final year students of college of medicine, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria completed a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire on career choices, nature of career, reasons for career choices and suggestion on improvements in the teaching of medicine in medical schools. Results: One hundred and sixty questionnaires were distributed to 160 medical students. A total of 150 students responded (125 males and 25 females). The popular choices among the students were surgery 30.7%, internal medicine 19.3%, obstetrics and gynaecology 12.7% and paediatrics 9.3%. The factors which influenced career choice among participants included natural interest, job satisfaction/opportunities, personal convenience and role model. Conclusion: Internal medicine was the second most popular specialty selected by medical students. The main reason for selecting internal medicine as an area of specialization was personal interest, job satisfaction/opportunities and personal convenience.