ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET: PERSPECTIVE OF MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES

Objectives: This study aimed to comprehend the entrepreneurial and abroad practice mindset among Pakistani medical undergraduates and the factors influencing their choices. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 401 students from various medical and dental colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was conducted. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning their career preferences, reasons for working abroad or in private practice, and perceptions of benefits and drawbacks to working in public and private sectors, among other questions. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results: Two hundred and five (205) students prefer postgraduate training, while 168 prefer overseas clinical training. Outpatient services in governmental hospitals were mentioned as a benefit, while a lack of facilities was noted as a hurdle. Twenty-eight (28) students chose private practice due to its appealing work environment. There was no significant association between studying years and preference for working abroad as a clinician, with a p-value of 0.251 regarding barriers in private practice or the type of setup preferred. Conclusion: Perceptions of general practice among medical students in Pakistan are influenced by various factors, such as income potential, quality of life, and the chance to acquire new skills. The responses reflect the students' inclination towards furthering training and gaining experience in different healthcare setups. Further research may explore how these perceptions affect healthcare delivery within the country. Keywords: Entrepreneurial Mindset, Overseas Training, Public Sector Benefits, Private Practice Barriers, Postgraduate Training.