Motivation, Career Aspirations and Reasons for Choice of Medical School among First Year Medical Students in Ogun State, Nigeria

Introduction: The current challenges facing the Nigerian health sector make it imperative to examine the long term goals of students training to become medical doctors. Such information is vital for policy makers and administrators of medical schools charged with forecasting the future manpower needs of the nation’s health sector.

Aim: The aim of the study was to ascertain the factors that influenced the choice of medical school among first year students of the Benjamin Carson Sr. School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study also examined the career aspirations of the medical students and their reasons for choosing medicine as a discipline.

Methods: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Data was collected on the students’ career aspirations and the factors influencing their choice of a medical school using a structured self-administered questionnaire.

Results: After completing medical school, 70.6% of the students desired to set up their own medical practice and 88.2% of them desired to pursue specialty training. Surgery (43.1%), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (13.7%) and Paediatrics (11.8%) were the preferred choice of specialty among the students. Only 13.7% of the medical students planned to undertake further training in basic medical sciences. The students’ choice of medical school was influenced by their preference for the religious and moral discipline of the institution and the ability of their sponsors to afford a private medical school. Most students (90.2%) opted to study medicine because of their interest in the course.

Conclusion: Majority of the students (86.3%) desired to undergo specialty training after graduating from medical school. Less than 20% of the students desired to practice in Nigeria or pursue further training in basic medical sciences upon completing their medical education. Further research is required to identify factors that will encourage the students to pursue careers in these areas.