Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Introduction: The number of Saudi Surgical trainees has been noted to be in decline. The study aims to assess factors influencing interns and medical students joining the surgical residency program.
Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 92 6th year medical students and interns in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia during the period from September 2019 to February 2020. Participants signed a written informed consent then responded to a structured questionnaire modified from the previous literature and based on demographic data, a twenty (five choices) Likert scale questions, thirty choices, and open-ended questions about influential factors determining future career. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 20, New York) was used during the analysis of the collected data.
Results: There were 92 students and interns, mean age (24.01±2.27 years), 45.7% were interested in joining a surgery residency program. The most influential factors were interest in the field (3.95±1.37 out of 5), prestige (3.89±1.27), and career opportunity (3.64±1.20); Interns were more concerned about income and career opportunities, while future income, the ability to obtain a residency program, and intellectual challenges are more influential factors among males, P-<0.05.
Conclusion: Nearly half of participants are willing to join surgery with interest in the field, prestige, and career opportunity being the most influential factors. Senior men were more concerned about future income, the ability to obtain a residency program, and intellectual challenges.
