A first of its kind study carried out among first-year medical students in India has found that nearly 40 percent students regret getting into medicine, mainly due to the lifelong reading it requires.
The study also found that about 36 percent students want to become doctors primarily to make money and a majority –over per 82 cent students opted to pursue MBBS out of self-interest . Twenty seven per cent students admitted they got into medicine due to parent’s wish or pressure.
The study carried out by researchers at the department of community medicine, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally in Telangana was based on the analysis of first-year students of the institute but is representative of medical community across the country.
The findings, published in the recent issue of International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, also said that earning the respect in the society was as the most common motivational factor to opt for the five and half-year long course.
“Medical profession is one of the most highly rated professions among the students due to the fact that it offers prospects of a financially as well as a socially satisfying career. It was observed that many students in India prefer a career in medicine because of parental pressure,” the study noted. The study highlighted that “It was shocking to see almost 40% of the students were having regret feeling for choosing medical profession”.
Not only that, nearly 12 per cent of the students also said they were ready to quit studying medicine given a chance.
“These students may not excel in the academics and are at risk of developing stress or suicidal tendency,” stressed the researcher. “Though the proportion is small, this issue should not be neglected and it’s the need of the hour to address these students by providing special attention and counselling.”
Anant Bhan, a researcher in bio ethics, global health and policy said that the numbers highlighted in the study are “alarming.”
“Studying medicine can be gruelling and both parents and students need to understand what they are getting into,” he said. “The numbers as thrown by study should push health administrators into design better orientation modules for students and also start some innovative support system that helps students cope better.”
