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Introduction <p>Choosing a medical specialty is a pivotal moment in a physician’s career, shaped by personal interests, clinical experiences, and professional interactions. Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) offers a unique blend of surgical and medical care focused on women’s health. Given the growing demand for OB-GYN specialists, understanding the factors that influence students’ decisions is essential for workforce planning. This study compares the factors influencing first-year and final-year medical students at the University of Bonn in their decision to pursue OB-GYN.</p> Methods <p>A total of 325 medical students participated in this longitudinal study, with 112 first-year and 213 final-year students completing digital surveys. The surveys assessed interest in OB-GYN, the importance of work-life balance, night shifts, future income, and the option for outpatient care. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and McNemar’s tests, were used to identify significant changes in perceptions between the two groups.</p> Results <p>Interest in pursuing OB-GYN declined from 60% among first-year students to 32% among final-year students (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The number of students concerned about night shifts increased from 48% in the first year to 76% in the final year (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Work-life balance was a critical factor for 97% of final-year students compared to 80% of first-year students (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). The potential for outpatient care grew in importance, with 90% of final-year students prioritizing it in their specialty decision (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Discussion <p>The findings show that clinical exposure, lifestyle considerations, and mentorship significantly impact students’ interest in OB-GYN. Notably, interest in the specialty declined sharply from 60 to 32%, underscoring the importance of addressing key deterrents such as concerns about work-life balance. These challenges suggest that educational reforms should focus on creating flexible career paths and enhancing mentorship opportunities to attract and retain OB-GYN specialists. By tackling students’ concerns about lifestyle and offering adaptable career options, the specialty can sustain interest and ensure a sufficient future workforce to meet women’s healthcare needs.</p>

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Factors influencing medical students’ interest in obstetrics and gynecology: a longitudinal study on career preferences

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月7日

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  • Lina Duhm,
  • Agnes Wittek,
  • Adeline Walter,
  • Ruben Plöger,
  • Nicolas Haverkamp,
  • Milka Marinova,
  • Brigitte Strizek,
  • Florian Recker

摘要

Introduction

Choosing a medical specialty is a pivotal moment in a physician’s career, shaped by personal interests, clinical experiences, and professional interactions. Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) offers a unique blend of surgical and medical care focused on women’s health. Given the growing demand for OB-GYN specialists, understanding the factors that influence students’ decisions is essential for workforce planning. This study compares the factors influencing first-year and final-year medical students at the University of Bonn in their decision to pursue OB-GYN.

Methods

A total of 325 medical students participated in this longitudinal study, with 112 first-year and 213 final-year students completing digital surveys. The surveys assessed interest in OB-GYN, the importance of work-life balance, night shifts, future income, and the option for outpatient care. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and McNemar’s tests, were used to identify significant changes in perceptions between the two groups.

Results

Interest in pursuing OB-GYN declined from 60% among first-year students to 32% among final-year students (p < 0.001). The number of students concerned about night shifts increased from 48% in the first year to 76% in the final year (p < 0.001). Work-life balance was a critical factor for 97% of final-year students compared to 80% of first-year students (p < 0.01). The potential for outpatient care grew in importance, with 90% of final-year students prioritizing it in their specialty decision (p < 0.001).

Discussion

The findings show that clinical exposure, lifestyle considerations, and mentorship significantly impact students’ interest in OB-GYN. Notably, interest in the specialty declined sharply from 60 to 32%, underscoring the importance of addressing key deterrents such as concerns about work-life balance. These challenges suggest that educational reforms should focus on creating flexible career paths and enhancing mentorship opportunities to attract and retain OB-GYN specialists. By tackling students’ concerns about lifestyle and offering adaptable career options, the specialty can sustain interest and ensure a sufficient future workforce to meet women’s healthcare needs.