Medical students’ perception toward neurosurgery as a career: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aims to access the perspective of medical students toward practicing neurosurgery after MBBS and also to identify factors responsible for low affinity among medical students in pursuing neurosurgery as a career. In this cross-sectional study, medical students were surveyed via pre-tested questionnaire, with a four-point Likert scale to determine their influence on student’s consideration of neurosurgery as a career. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. The survey was completed by 185 students out of which 56.2% students considered neurosurgery as a career. Although more than 90% students acknowledged that neurosurgery training is too prolonged and it can also impede family life but huge prestige and income is attached to neurosurgery, 35.7% students shared that neurosurgery exposure and teaching is not adequate enough for them in order to have a positive influence toward neurosurgery as a career. Additional studies are required to further explore how participation in a formal neurosurgery experience can alter medical students’ perceptions and influences their consideration of neurosurgery as career choice.