Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia

Background: According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYNE) is displaying a growing gap between the empty positions and the number of applicants. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to ascertain the perception of medical students about obstetrics and gynecology specialty and identify the factors influencing medical students in choosing OB/GYNE as a future career. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study invited 476 medical undergraduate students to complete an anonymous electronic survey that consists of questions related career intentions, opportunities, and attitudes of medical students toward OB/GYNE and questions about factors that attracts and discourages students to choose OB/GYNE as a career. We examined the statistical association between the categorical variables by using Chi-square test. Results: The results of the present study indicated that 154 (32.35%) students were interested in OB/GYNE. Sixty-one percent (19.24%) female participants reported OB/GYNE as their first choice, while only 11 (6.92%) male participants expressed OB/GYNE as their first choice. Female medical students reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school, presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty, faculty interaction, faculty encouragement, patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, intellectual content of OBGYN, and spouse/family opinion were attracting factors to the OB/GYNE specialty. On the other hand, level of stress and night duties were discouraging factors among female students. The main factors attracting male medical students towards OB/GYNE specialty were taking care of a healthy population and surgical opportunities. Patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, spouse/family opinion, and affect family life/ family considerations were discouraging factors in choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers for male students. Conclusion: Majority of the factors that discourage male medical students from choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers are to some extend modifiable. The large gender imbalance should encourage consideration of the reason for male students choosing OB/GYNE in falling numbers.