title: The timing and stability of choice of medical specialty among Malaysian doctors.
abstract: A total of 356 doctors responded to a survey on the timing and stability of choice of medical specialty. The majority of doctors made their final decision while working as a medical officer. One hundred (48.5%) of the doctors had made an earlier choice as medical students, 63 (30.6%) during their internship and 43 (20.9%) made their final choice while they were medical officers. Working experience in the specialty was the most important factor in determining final choice of specialty. Advice from consultants/seniors, better financial prospects and parental influence were more important for the male doctors while marriage and family considerations were more important for the female doctors in making their final choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rogayah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zulkifli
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D013038:Specialization; D013337:Students, Medical; D013997:Time Factors