Factors influencing the choice of anaesthesia as a field of specialty in University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Specialisation is perceived as essential for success, and affects the availability and distribution of medical personnel and the quality of service the health system is able to deliver. In Ghana, some areas of medical specialties have a relatively good number of practitioners and are constantly attracting prospective doctors into these fields. Anaesthesia, which is an essential and integral part of the health care system, is one field with an inadequate workforce and has been attracting few doctors into the specialty.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 183 undergraduate final-year students of the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry. A total of 183 self-reporting questionnaires were distributed among the students during tutorials for their final exams. Of these, 146 questionnaires were completed and returned.
Results: General surgery was the most desirable specialty 26 (17.8%), paediatrics was the second most desirable specialty 24 (16.4%), whilst anaesthesia 2 (1.4%) ranked seventh.
Conclusions: The results of this survey suggest that duration of exposure during clinical clerkship influences career decision among undergraduate medical students. Most of the students prioritise their choice of specialty based on interest and exposure during rotation through the specialty.

Keywords: anaesthesia, medical students, specialties