Reasons for Choosing Dermatology as a Career Choice Among the Dermatology Residents of the Sudan Medical Specialization Board

TL;DR

This study explores why Sudanese dermatology residents chose their specialty, highlighting lifestyle and career factors.

Contribution

The study identifies key lifestyle and professional factors influencing dermatology career choices in Sudan.

Findings

Low stress and fewer emergency calls were top factors for choosing dermatology.

Female residents showed more interest in cosmetology compared to males.

Most residents decided on dermatology after graduation, not before.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Understanding the factors that influence medical doctors' choice of specialty is key to achieving a balanced distribution of healthcare professionals across various medical disciplines. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the decision to pursue dermatology as a specialty among residents enrolled in the dermatology program at the Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB) (Khartoum, SDN).

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among dermatology residents. A predesigned, self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically to all SMSB-dermatology residents. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics were employed to quantify categorical variables. Chi-square tests were used to compare factors influencing specialty choice. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There were 313 participants, of whom 304 (97.1%) were female and nine (2.9%) were male. Most (237, 75.7%) were aged between 25 and 35 years, with 236 (75.4%) being married. A large majority (272, 86.9%) chose dermatology after graduation, while 41 (13.1%) decided before graduating. Key factors influencing the choice of dermatology were lifestyle-related, including low stress (284, 90.7%), fewer emergency calls (265, 84.7%), more free time (223, 71.2%), research opportunities (215, 68.7%), financial prospects (209, 66.8%), private sector opportunities (199, 63.6%), the attractiveness of being a dermatologist (198, 63.3%), and procedural opportunities (184, 58.8%). Only 27 participants (8.6%) had a dermatologist in the family, indicating minimal family influence. There was a significant association between gender and subspecialty preference: females were more interested in cosmetology, while males preferred andrology and dermatopathology.

Conclusion: Various factors, as well as both undergraduate and postgraduate dermatology training, influence residents' choice of dermatology as a career.

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