The influence of demographic factors on the choice of career pathway of medical students: A Malaysian context
1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Year 4 MBBS Coordinator, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, 40100, Malaysia.
2 Post Graduate Center, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, 40100, Malaysia.
3 Department of Biochemistry, Year 1 MBBS Coordinator, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, 40100, Malaysia.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2023, 05(02), 143–149.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2023.5.2.0027
Publication history:
Received on 23 April 2023; revised on 23 June 2023; accepted on 26 June 2023
Abstract:
Introduction and aim: The healthcare scenario has changed tremendously in the 21st century providing multiple career pathways for medical students and is no longer limited to patientcare. To equip graduates with competencies suited for the job, it is vital to know the aspirations of present-day medical students. Hence, this study aimed to investigate their choice of career pathway and the influence of sociodemographic factors in Malaysian context.
Methods: A quantitative study with cross sectional survey was conducted in a private medical school in Malaysia using well-structured questionnaire. 318 students from all five years of training were chosen by disproportionate stratified random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis.
Results: Majority of the study population showed inclination towards traditional pathway of either pursuing specialty training or opting for government service while, a few chose alternative careers. Gender and year of training were found to have a significant influence on their choice of career pathway. While ethnicity, marital status or household income did not show a significant difference.
Conclusion: This study gives preliminary information on the intent of Malaysian medical students regarding their career pathway. The results may help policy makers in planning strategies for medical education to keep pace with the ambitions of 21st century medical students.
Implications: The medical curriculum designers ought to incorporate skills in research and entrepreneurship to prepare students opting for alternative careers. Further, the governing bodies need to plan for training the large number of Malaysian medical graduates aspiring to be specialists.
Keywords:
Alternative careers; Medical graduates; Malaysia; Training
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0