Background: The choice of specialty for medical students can be challenging due to numerous possibilities and circumstances that may influence student choice. Thus, this study aims to evaluate career choice patterns among medical students of Jazan University and the factors influencing their choices.
Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from November 2021 to March 2022 and comprised medical students from the second year to the sixth year. Data were collected using an anonymous, structured, self-administered questionnaire. We used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v.23 to analyze the results.
Results: We enrolled 441 students in this study. Among this group, 203 (46%) were female and 237 (54%) were male. Their mentors significantly influenced female students’ choices (p < 0.001). Internal medicine was the most chosen specialty (13.2%), followed by general surgery (11.6%) and family medicine (6.8%). Mentor inspiration was the most cited reason for the specialty choice (32.2%), followed by passion and fewer on-call duties, chosen by 27.2% and 18%, respectively.
Conclusion: Mentorship was the most influencing factor in carrier choices among our study participants, followed by passion and specialty with fewer on-call duties. A well-structured mentorship program in the early years of medical education will significantly impact the future of specialties.
Key words: Career preference, carrier choice, specialty choice, medical student, Saudi Arabia.
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