FACTORS INFLUENCING POST GRADUATE CAREER CHOICE AND INTENTION OF MIGRATION OF SPHMMC STUDENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The availability of medical professionals in each specialty could be projected on the basis of medical graduates’ interest in choosing a particular specialty. A medical specialization encompasses transition from an undifferentiated medical graduate to the fully differentiated professional who is usually restricted to one specialized medical field. Globally, the distribution of physician specialization is a growing concern, as these choices may not meet community needs. Due to lack of certain specialties, especially preclinical and para-clinical specialties, our country’s medical colleges are facing the grave situation of faculty deficiency. Brain drain” refers to the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field to another, in search of the better standard of living and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide. The Term can be applied specifically to healthcare workers, a group encompassing not only doctors and nurses, but also midwives, pharmacists, lab technicians and hospital managers. Objective: the aim of the study is to assess the attitude among SPHMMC students towards their future career, intention to migrate and factors associated with it. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from January to April 2017 among 276 students. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Among the 276 study subjects 230 (83.3%) of respondents have plan to specialize. Majority of these opted for surgery 95(34.4%) followed by internal medicine 41(14.9%), obstetrics and gynecology 36(13%), anesthesiology 29(10%), psychiatry 22(8%). In this study 51(18.5%) have plan of going abroad. Among the variables age was found to have statistically significant association with plan to specialize. Urban and students with family member within medical field are more likely to intend to go abroad. Conclusion and recommendation: A majority of the study subjects prefer surgery and medicine as postgraduate career while other fields area not their first choices. Researchers are recommended to find out the reason. Key words: SPHMMC, postgraduate career, students, migration