Factors affecting medical students in formulating their specialty preferences in Jordan.
BACKGROUND
In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of career preference in medicine as it may affect student learning and academic performance. However, no such studies have been undertaken in medical schools in Jordan. Therefore, we carried out this study to investigate the career preferences of medical students at Jordan University of Science and Technology and determine factors that might influence their career decisions.


METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among second, fourth and sixth year medical students at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan during the academic year 2006/2007. A total of 440 students answered the questionnaire which covered demographic characteristics, specialty preferences, and the factors that influenced these career preferences. Possible influences were selected on the basis of a literature review and discussions with groups of medical students and physicians. Students were asked to consider 14 specialty options and select the most preferred career preference.


RESULTS
The most preferred specialty expressed by male students was surgery, followed by internal medicine and orthopaedics, while the specialty most preferred by female students was obstetrics and gynaecology, followed by pediatrics and surgery. Students showed little interest in orthopedics, ophthalmology, and dermatology. While 3.1% of females expressed interest in anesthesiology, no male students did. Other specialties were less attractive to most students. Intellectual content of the specialty and the individual's competencies were the most influential on their preference of specialty. Other influential factors were the "reputation of the specialty", "anticipated income", and "focus on urgent care".


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology were the most preferred specialty preferences of medical students at Jordan University of Science and Technology.
Khader
Yousef
Y
Department of Public Health, Community Medicine and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. yousef.k@exite.com
Al-Zoubi
Dema
D
Amarin
Zouhair
Z
Alkafagei
Ahmad
A
Khasawneh
Mohammad
M
Burgan
Samar
S
El Salem
Khalid
K
Omari
Mousa
M
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007597:Jordan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013038:Specialization; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*