PURPOSE: The study aims to identify the career preferences of the final year medical student as well as to determine gender differences in career choices. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 232 final year MMBS students of the first five classes of Ziauddin Medical University. METHOD: A questionnaire was designed that identified student's choice of specialty, location preferences, and reasons influencing career preferences. Percentages and chi-square were used to determine differences in career preferences of students. RESULTS: Students chose internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics as their first three career choices. Clinical specialties were highly rated as compared to family medicine. Personal interest was ranked as the most influencing factor that contributed to choice of specialty. Most respondents preferred working in Pakistan as compared to overseas, and for practice selected, private setup was more favored compared to other settings. Gender differences were found in career preferences. CONCLUSION: The impact of the innovative community education programme is not clearly evident in the study, indicating that several other factors contribute towards decisions regarding career. A critical review by the university is required to strengthen the fields that are being overlooked by the students. A follow-up study would be beneficial to determine the changing trends in career preferences.
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