Factors influencing the medical student’s interest and career choice in neurosurgery

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors influencing interest and a career choice in neurosurgery among final year medical students.

Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted where primary data was collected from 120 final year medical students and three  neurosurgery consultants in the University of Ghana Medical School, using quantitative cross-sectional study and qualitative Delphi panel  study methods, respectively. The main study outcome was the choice of Neurosurgery as a specialty.

Results: About 90% of the  students expressed interest in neurosurgery. Interest in neurosurgery (70%) and the will to make an impact in the specialty (75%) were  the top factors for the 13.8% of students who said they would apply for neurosurgical residency, while the long duration of training  deterred 63% of respondents. The students had poor exposure to the clinical aspects of the specialty. Practicing neurosurgeons placed a  high premium on student interest in the field.

Conclusion: To build interest among medical students to enter neurosurgical residency  programs, students should be given more contact hours during their neurosurgery rotations, and neurosurgical mentorship  programmes should be established in medical schools to give medical students insight into the typical life of practicing neurosurgeons.