WHY BECOME A DOCTOR? EVALUATION OF MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS FOR SELECTING MEDICAL PROFESSION AS CAREER

Abstract

Santhosh Kuriakose1, Sanjay Kumar B. Revankar2, Viveka S3, Balakrishna Shetty4, Chithra PrakashRao5

After pre-university course, students have to take an important decision regarding their career depending on their interest, family aspirations, past experiences and their limited knowledge of various careers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the various reasons of the students to choose medical career. A semi-structured questionnaire was given to 100 first MBBS students of A J Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore and the responses were statistically analyzed. The majority of students (93%) have chosen the medical profession to serve the poor and needy, out of their own interest. Nearly 45% of students have one doctor in family. 10% saw their near ones suffering from chronic illness or cancer, 3% were themselves suffering from health problems, 2% were influenced by the lack of health care in rural areas.

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