Malaysian Medical Students' Career Intention (MMSCI): a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health Policy
• Healthcare Workforce Planning

Background:

• Growing concerns regarding doctor resignations from Malaysia's Ministry of Health (MOH).
• Limited understanding of Malaysian medical students' career intentions and influencing factors.
• Addressing the future healthcare workforce needs in Malaysia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine Malaysian medical students' immediate post-graduation career intentions.
• To assess career intentions after completing the two-year housemanship program.
• To identify factors influencing these career decisions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 859 Malaysian medical students.
• Online self-administered questionnaire distributed nationwide.
• Data collected via medical school representatives and a national medical student society.

Main Results:

• Only 37.8% are optimistic about a future career with the MOH.
• A significant portion (27.1%) plan to emigrate for practice, though many intend to return.
• A slight majority (57.5%) plan to remain with the MOH long-term, with most intending to specialize.

Conclusions:

• A concerning number of future doctors may leave the MOH workforce.
• Urgent government interventions are needed to address factors contributing to potential doctor exodus.
• Annual studies are recommended for effective healthcare human resources planning in Malaysia.