Factors Influencing the Choice of Plastic Surgery as a Specialty in Saudi Arabia. Issue 8 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al Qurashi, Abdullah A.; Shah Mardan, Qutaiba N.M.; Mortada, Hatan; Maddawi, Hadeel; Hakami, Alqassem Y.; Mrad, Mohamed Amir
• Is Part Of: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Volume 9:Issue 8(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; 617.95205
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-7574

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Graduates of medical school must choose a specific specialty as a life-long practice from a large pool of medical specialties. This decision stands out as one of the most memorable and critical in their lifetimes. To reach such a decision with satisfaction, medical school graduates consider a variety of factors. This is the first study to explore the influential factors on pursuing plastic surgery as a career in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, unicentral study based on an electronic questionnaire that has been constructed with an assistance of field experts to ensure a sufficient coverage of the influential factors. Only those with an established interest in plastic surgery were included. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. Results: Of the 695 questionnaires fully completed by third-year medical students up to intern doctors, only 32 (4.6%) expressed an interest in the pursuit of plastic surgery as a future career, with a female predominance of 62.5% ( N = 20). The factors that influenced their decision of specialty choice were the geographic advantage (81.3%), predominance of nonurgent cases (71.9%), the reward associated with immediate outcome (71.9%), and prior significant events (71.9%). Conclusions: Certain factors, as explored by this study, strongly influence the choice of plastic surgery as a future specialty, among Saudi medical graduates. Cultivating more knowledge about plastic surgery as a specialty may help consider scientific research as an impactful factor in the future for further development in the field.