Gender and other factors influencing the specialty choice among postgraduate medical students in Bangladesh, 2016-2020

Abstract

Background: Over the last two decades, there has been a gender shift in undergraduate medical education in Bangladesh with different influencing factors in specialty choice as a career. We aimed to determine the trend and influencing factors in specialty choice among post-graduate medical students of Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Secondary data regarding students’ enrollment from 2016 to 2020 were acquired from the registry of the Information Technology Cell of BSMMU, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 118 post-graduate medical students and asked them about the motivation behind their specialty selections. Results: From 2016 to 2020, 9,112 post-graduate medical students were enrolled in 73 post-graduate medical programs across the five faculties (Surgery, Medicine, Basic Science and Para Clinical Science, Pediatrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine) of BSMMU. There was a gradual increase in female students from 41.6% in 2016 to 49.3% in 2020. Male dominancy was found in the faculties of Surgery (61.2%) and Medicine (69.7%), whereas the faculties of Basic Science and Paraclinical Science (74.6%), Pediatrics (53.7%), and Preventive and Social Medicine (66.9%) were dominated by female students. Significant differences in the sex distribution among postgraduate medical students were observed in the faculties of Surgery and Pediatrics. The most frequently mentioned influencing factors for medical students' choice of specialization were 'personal interest' (86.3%), followed by 'future career potential' (74.6%) and 'demand for the specialty' (73.7%). Significant gender variations in these influencing factors existed. Conclusion: Over the years, the percentage of female postgraduate medical students has increased in all five faculties of BSMMU. Gender differences in specialty choice can assist policymakers in making equitable distributions of the healthcare workforce. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2023;16(3): 152-159