Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study
Abstract Introduction Specialty preferences among medical students significantly influence healthcare workforce distribution and equity. Nigeria, with its low physician-to-patient ratio, faces critical challenges in addressing healthcare demands. Understanding the specialty preferences of medical st...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07189-5 |
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| author | Tobi Olajide Chioma Ezebialu Christabel Uche-Orji Ridwanullah Abdullateef Chisom Okoye Esther Olaoye Jolly Thomas Joy Adeniyi Angel Ogiemudia Simon Aina Oluwatimilehin Oladapo Emmanuel Ibitunde Olumide Bankole Chukwuebuka Asogwa Mafusat Ojewumi Precious Wagwula Ayomide Fatola Oluwadabira Adewara Kenneth Christian Oghenemaro Jerry-Ogeme Lawrence Rejoice Chisom Obah Nouh Sanusi Joshua Alabi Elizabeth Ayegboyin Atoyebi Olaadura Isaac Adejumo Promise Enyesiobi Peace Alemede David Uzoechi Abdulaziz Ahmad Chimdalu Ezeani Brian Uche-Orji Oluwatobi Joshua Ihunanyachi Agha-Okoro Godson Omumuawuike Jessica Gambo Peace Gbenle Evan Adetoye Olamide Odusola Muhammed Ya’u Muhammad Karaye Rufus Akinyemi |
| author_facet | Tobi Olajide Chioma Ezebialu Christabel Uche-Orji Ridwanullah Abdullateef Chisom Okoye Esther Olaoye Jolly Thomas Joy Adeniyi Angel Ogiemudia Simon Aina Oluwatimilehin Oladapo Emmanuel Ibitunde Olumide Bankole Chukwuebuka Asogwa Mafusat Ojewumi Precious Wagwula Ayomide Fatola Oluwadabira Adewara Kenneth Christian Oghenemaro Jerry-Ogeme Lawrence Rejoice Chisom Obah Nouh Sanusi Joshua Alabi Elizabeth Ayegboyin Atoyebi Olaadura Isaac Adejumo Promise Enyesiobi Peace Alemede David Uzoechi Abdulaziz Ahmad Chimdalu Ezeani Brian Uche-Orji Oluwatobi Joshua Ihunanyachi Agha-Okoro Godson Omumuawuike Jessica Gambo Peace Gbenle Evan Adetoye Olamide Odusola Muhammed Ya’u Muhammad Karaye Rufus Akinyemi |
| author_sort | Tobi Olajide |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Specialty preferences among medical students significantly influence healthcare workforce distribution and equity. Nigeria, with its low physician-to-patient ratio, faces critical challenges in addressing healthcare demands. Understanding the specialty preferences of medical students and the factors influencing these choices is essential for workforce planning. This study aimed to investigate these preferences among Nigerian medical students and the implications for healthcare planning. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling among 439 penultimate and final-year medical students across fully accredited Nigerian medical schools between July and October 2024. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire, which included socio-demographics, specialty preferences, and influencing factors. Analysis was performed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize categorical variables as frequencies and proportions, while continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan/University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Health Research Ethics Committee. Results The mean age of participants was 23.62 ± 2.95 years, with 53.1% male and 45.3% female. Most students were in their penultimate year (60.1%). Obstetrics and Gynecology was the most preferred first-choice specialty (14.7%), followed by Cardiothoracic Surgery (11.8%). A significant proportion of students were undecided (13.3%) about their first choice. Diagnostic specialties like Radiology and Pathology had the least interest (< 1%). Significant factors influencing specialty choice included personal interest (87%), content of specialty (85.3%), and potential lucrativeness (77%). Statistically significant associations were observed for potentially lucrativeness (p < 0.001), the desired practice setting (p = 0.004), shorter training periods (p < 0.001), minimal or predictable work hours (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.003), and academic level (p = 0.034). Conclusion This study explored specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students revealing a strong inclination toward Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, and Internal Medicine. Career choices were influenced by factors such as personal interest, prestige, intellectual challenge, income, academic level, and gender. The study revealed the need for structured career counseling and increased exposure to underrepresented specialties to address the uneven distribution of specialists in Nigeria. Tailored mentorship programs, improved financial incentives, and enhanced training opportunities are critical for optimizing the healthcare workforce and achieving equity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-57eb54defb6046228b8ed9764b09a2d5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-57eb54defb6046228b8ed9764b09a2d52025-08-20T01:47:29ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-04-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-07189-5Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional studyTobi Olajide0Chioma Ezebialu1Christabel Uche-Orji2Ridwanullah Abdullateef3Chisom Okoye4Esther Olaoye5Jolly Thomas6Joy Adeniyi7Angel Ogiemudia8Simon Aina9Oluwatimilehin Oladapo10Emmanuel Ibitunde11Olumide Bankole12Chukwuebuka Asogwa13Mafusat Ojewumi14Precious Wagwula15Ayomide Fatola16Oluwadabira Adewara17Kenneth Christian18Oghenemaro Jerry-Ogeme19Lawrence Rejoice20Chisom Obah21Nouh Sanusi22Joshua Alabi23Elizabeth Ayegboyin24Atoyebi Olaadura25Isaac Adejumo26Promise Enyesiobi27Peace Alemede28David Uzoechi29Abdulaziz Ahmad30Chimdalu Ezeani31Brian Uche-Orji32Oluwatobi Joshua33Ihunanyachi Agha-Okoro34Godson Omumuawuike35Jessica Gambo36Peace Gbenle37Evan Adetoye38Olamide Odusola39Muhammed Ya’u40Muhammad Karaye41Rufus Akinyemi42Scientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationCollege of Health Sciences, University of Port-HarcourtScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationCollege of Medicine, Abia State University Teaching HospitalScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationObafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo UniversityScientific Research and Medical Journal Committee, Nigerian Medical Students’ AssociationCollege of Health Sciences, Gombe State UniversityCollege of Health Sciences, Bayero UniversityCollege of Medicine, University of IbadanAbstract Introduction Specialty preferences among medical students significantly influence healthcare workforce distribution and equity. Nigeria, with its low physician-to-patient ratio, faces critical challenges in addressing healthcare demands. Understanding the specialty preferences of medical students and the factors influencing these choices is essential for workforce planning. This study aimed to investigate these preferences among Nigerian medical students and the implications for healthcare planning. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling among 439 penultimate and final-year medical students across fully accredited Nigerian medical schools between July and October 2024. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire, which included socio-demographics, specialty preferences, and influencing factors. Analysis was performed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize categorical variables as frequencies and proportions, while continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan/University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Health Research Ethics Committee. Results The mean age of participants was 23.62 ± 2.95 years, with 53.1% male and 45.3% female. Most students were in their penultimate year (60.1%). Obstetrics and Gynecology was the most preferred first-choice specialty (14.7%), followed by Cardiothoracic Surgery (11.8%). A significant proportion of students were undecided (13.3%) about their first choice. Diagnostic specialties like Radiology and Pathology had the least interest (< 1%). Significant factors influencing specialty choice included personal interest (87%), content of specialty (85.3%), and potential lucrativeness (77%). Statistically significant associations were observed for potentially lucrativeness (p < 0.001), the desired practice setting (p = 0.004), shorter training periods (p < 0.001), minimal or predictable work hours (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.003), and academic level (p = 0.034). Conclusion This study explored specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students revealing a strong inclination toward Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, and Internal Medicine. Career choices were influenced by factors such as personal interest, prestige, intellectual challenge, income, academic level, and gender. The study revealed the need for structured career counseling and increased exposure to underrepresented specialties to address the uneven distribution of specialists in Nigeria. Tailored mentorship programs, improved financial incentives, and enhanced training opportunities are critical for optimizing the healthcare workforce and achieving equity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07189-5Specialty preferencesMedical studentsNigeria |
| spellingShingle | Tobi Olajide Chioma Ezebialu Christabel Uche-Orji Ridwanullah Abdullateef Chisom Okoye Esther Olaoye Jolly Thomas Joy Adeniyi Angel Ogiemudia Simon Aina Oluwatimilehin Oladapo Emmanuel Ibitunde Olumide Bankole Chukwuebuka Asogwa Mafusat Ojewumi Precious Wagwula Ayomide Fatola Oluwadabira Adewara Kenneth Christian Oghenemaro Jerry-Ogeme Lawrence Rejoice Chisom Obah Nouh Sanusi Joshua Alabi Elizabeth Ayegboyin Atoyebi Olaadura Isaac Adejumo Promise Enyesiobi Peace Alemede David Uzoechi Abdulaziz Ahmad Chimdalu Ezeani Brian Uche-Orji Oluwatobi Joshua Ihunanyachi Agha-Okoro Godson Omumuawuike Jessica Gambo Peace Gbenle Evan Adetoye Olamide Odusola Muhammed Ya’u Muhammad Karaye Rufus Akinyemi Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study BMC Medical Education Specialty preferences Medical students Nigeria |
| title | Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study |
| title_full | Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study |
| title_short | Specialty preferences among Nigerian medical students: a cross sectional study |
| title_sort | specialty preferences among nigerian medical students a cross sectional study |
| topic | Specialty preferences Medical students Nigeria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07189-5 |
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