Assessment of overall perception and interest in urology among medical students in Jeddah - A cross-sectional study

Numerous factors influence the choice of a medical specialty, including lifestyle, prestige, and clinical exposure. Urology, a field that integrates medicine and surgery, has faced concerns regarding decreasing educational exposure, particularly in medical schools worldwide. This study aims to assess medical students' awareness, perception, and knowledge of urology in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and identify factors influencing the decision to pursue urology as a career.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 193 medical students and interns from universities in Jeddah. Utilizing a structured questionnaire, participants were assessed on demographic information, clinical exposure, urological knowledge, and career aspirations. The data analysis employed descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, with a significance level set at P < 0.05.

A high level of awareness about urology (90.2%) was observed among participants, with 74 students (38.3%) describing their knowledge as adequate, defined as rating their urological knowledge as "good" or "very good." Although 72.5% of participants did not consider urology as a career, exposure through urology rotations was associated with greater interest in the field. Male participants were more likely to consider urology (P = 0.053) and had higher clinical exposure than females (P = 0.001). Clinical rotations positively influenced awareness, with 41.5% of students who completed a rotation expressing interest in pursuing urology versus 20.3% of those without rotation exposure (P = 0.002).

While many medical students are aware of urology, increased clinical exposure is needed. About one-third expressed interest, mainly due to its medical-surgical integration and appealing lifestyle. Male students showed greater interest and participation in clinical rotations, which significantly enhanced their knowledge and career inclination.