Determinants of Choice of Specialty by Resident Doctors: A Multi-Center Based Study in South-West Nigeria

An appropriately balanced specialty distribution in residency training will ensure adequate coverage and delivery of essential health needs to the people. An understanding of the factors which influence doctors' career choices is important for all those involved in the training of Resident doctors. The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing the Resident Doctors' choice of specialty.

This was a cross-sectional study. A well-structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection.

A total of 110 Resident Doctors participated in the study with 74.5% falling within the age group 31-40 years, and 87 (79.1%) were males. A natural love for a specialty (66.4%), personal experience during medical school (47.3%) and the influence of mentors (30%), love for a particular class of patients (26.4%) and presumed higher income (17.3%) were reasons for initial choices of specialties. The most stated reasons for the change of specialty were because of the acquisition of more information (39.0%), the influence of mentors (26.8%), a change in perspective (24.4%), availability of vacancies (24.4%) and the influence of senior colleagues (17.1%). About 80% had no career guidance prior to the initial choice of specialty; likewise, 92% had no guidance prior to current program. However, 89% were happy with their final choices while only 21% would still consider a change of specialty.

In our study, we found that personal interest in a specialty, previous experiences and mentorship were key to most individuals' choice or change in choice of specialties.