Study of Future Specialty Career Choice among Female Medical Students in Medical College, Taif University, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Specialty career choice is an important decision for medical students. For most, this choice is an ongoing process throughout their undergraduate schooling. The aim of the study is to identify reasons for studying medicine, the future specialty choices by medical students, identify different influencing factors in students' decision-making regarding future specialty interests. Method: We conducted a survey on First and sixth-year female students at Medical College in Taif University during academic year 2018-2019, using a questionnaire probing about their specialty preference and reasons of their choice. Results: The first choice of specialty was internal medicine specialty for first and sixth year students. The other prevalent choices were surgical specialty, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology then family medicine practice, pediatrics and dermatology for first and sixth year students choices altogether. Logistic regression analysis of reasons of choice of specialties showed that the first three statistically significant factors between first and sixth year students were: Interest in the clinical work of the specialty, Job availability and encounter with role model teachers. More than half of students mentioned that it is would rather avoided and will never work in remote and rural areas. Only (15.3%) expressed willingness to practice medicine in remote areas with no significant difference between first and sixth year students. Main reason of choice of practice location was career development and being in hometown. Conclusion: Majority of students planned to specialize in well-known clinical areas. First year students favored medical practice specialties and sixth year students preferred surgical.