Original Research Paper
Career preferences of medical undergraduates of Sri Lanka; influence of exposure to specialties on career choice
Authors:
V.G. Pinto ,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
K.B. Galketiya,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
D.K. Jayasingheararchchi,
Assistant lecturer, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
S.M. Bandara,
Assistant lecturer, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
D.L. Wijesinghe
Assistant lecturer, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
Abstract
In Sri Lanka, the rapid growth in the health sector provides medical undergraduates a far wider range of disciplines for carrier advancement. A multitude of factors such as socio-cultural values, economics, and peer recognition influences the decision on the future of a medical graduate. We studied the influence of exposure to different specialties in the curriculum on carrier choices and the changes that occurred after a carrier guidance programme. The lack of any obvious changes in career preferences over three decades at the same institution suggests that the curriculum , despite changes during that period does not reflect the stated objectives of the Ministry of Health, confirming that the curriculum is not occupational or job orientated. The need for co-ordinated dialogue between medical schools, Ministry of Health and medical organizations such as the e.g. Sri Lanka Medical Association which provides an independent forum for such interactions is a necessity to meet the specialist requirements of this country.
How to Cite:
Pinto, V.G., Galketiya, K.B., Jayasingheararchchi, D.K., Bandara, S.M. and Wijesinghe, D.L., 2016. Career preferences of medical undergraduates of Sri Lanka; influence of exposure to specialties on career choice. South-East Asian Journal of Medical Education, 10(2), pp.55–59. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/seajme.v10i2.28
Published on
01 Dec 2016.
Peer Reviewed
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