Factors Affecting Young Medical Students’ Choice for Future Medical Specialty

Salwa Sh. Abdul-Wahid; Hanan Abdulhaq Kalaf

doi:10.58709/niujhs.v12i2.2725

Salwa Sh. Abdul-Wahid Community Medicine, Al-Farabi University, Iraq
Hanan Abdulhaq Kalaf Community Medicine, Al-Farabi University, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58709/niujhs.v12i2.2725

Abstract

Background: Young doctors' choice of medical specialty is essential to maintaining a sufficient health workforce and developing a sustainable healthcare system.

Aim: The aim of this article is to explore the factors taken into consideration by young medical students in choosing their future specialty.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, for the period from 1st of September to the 31st of December /2025. The study sample were (176) medical students, (47), males and (129) females, selected randomly from the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades of Diyala Medical College. A questionnaire was designed by the researchers included personal, educational level' variables in regard to the medical students in addition to socio-demographic variables related to the students' family. The students were asked to complete the questionnaire following the explanation of the subject and objectives of the research with each grade.

Results: Reveled that highest preference rate among males’ undergraduates for Surgery (31.3%), followed by internal Medicine and Pediatrics (14.8% & 10.8%) respectively. While for females the choice for Obstetrics & Gynecology following surgery choice. There is choice' variation according to the grade. The results also revealed a relation between personal interest, social and economic factors with the choice of medical specialty.

Conclusion & Recommendations: The overall two preferred specialties were general surgery (27%), internal medicine, ophthalmology and pediatrics (8.3%). While the choice among female it was surgery, gyne and obstetrics. Deficient choice for Family and Community Medicine, this is against the term of "Tomorrow Doctor" in its emphasis on Primary health care, Family doctors and Public Health. The study recommends Career counseling should be offered to students about each specialty’s challenges, /opportunities with an ultimate goal to match the country-specific demand and supply of physicians. Another points focusing on spreading the importance of the principles of primary health care, family doctor and public health to be choices for future specialty, as these are the pillars of tomorrow's doctor.

Keywords: Medical students, Undergraduates, Medical Specialties, Diyala Medical College.