Nationwide cross-sectional study of factors affecting specialty choice among medical interns in Egypt

Background: Every year, medical interns face the challenge of choosing their future specialty. This not only affects future careers of our doctors, but also has a great impact on the healthcare system as a whole. Aim: To explore the factors influencing medical interns’ specialty choices in Egypt and assess their decision timing, commitment, and travel willingness to support career guidance and healthcare planning. Methods: A cross-sectional among interns of five universities, including four public universities (Cairo, Mansoura, Assiut, and Aswan) and a private university, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST). The questionnaire assessed demographics, specialty choice, influencing factors (via Likert scale across four domains), and participants’ commitment to specialty. Results: 2,100 interns participated in the study. Three quarters of them decided their future specialty. prestige (mean = 4.14, ± 0.99 SD) and free time away from work (mean = 4.13, ± 1.01 SD) are the most chosen factors. Obstetrics and gynecology (10.8%) and pediatrics (8.0%) are the most chosen specialties. Conclusion: Parental education level, Grade Point Average (GPA), and advice received greatly influence interns' specialty choices. The study results provide valuable data to improve career strategies and improve shortages in the Egyptian healthcare system.