Life in the Medical Career: Perception of Pre-University Students

Objectives: Pre-University students have to decide their career pathway. In this study the primary objective was to find out the perception of students keen on pursuing medical career. Our secondary objective was to find out the parents’ response to their decision according to them.Material and Methods: Fifty one students from two colleges were given questionnaire survey. They were from the same Pre-University institution but their colleges were located in East and Peninsula Malaysia. They fulfilled the criteria for selection, which were doing “A” levels currently with Biology as one of the subjects and they were keen to pursue medical career. The perceptions were expressed in percentages and the statistical analysis, to compare the perceptions in two different locations, was done by Chi Square test using SPSS Version 16.0Results: From 51 students, 29 were from East Malaysia and 22 were from Peninsula Malaysia. There were 61% (31) female and 39% (20) male students. The sex ratio was matched in both locations {x2 = 0.047 and p = 0.829, OR 1.133 (95% CI: 0.365 – 3.519)}. Occupation of the parents were mainly Skilled workers or Professionals and were matched in both locations. Forty five percent of the students percieved that medical career would be busy, hectic and challenging whereas around 20% felt that it would be an interesting career. Fifty five percent of students mentioned that their parents encouraged their decision however 20% expressed anxiety and discouragement on their decsion. There were no significant difference in the perception of the students (x2 = 3.062, p =0.690) or their parents view on their decision (x2 = 2.030, p =0.730) in the two locations.Conclusions: Almost half of the students were aware that the medical career would be busy, hectic and challenging. Majority had their parents’ encouragement to pursue a medical career.