Factors affecting medical major selection and the extent of changes in students’ motivation during their study in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Assessment and identification of factors and motivations affecting medical major selection could be effective in training committed physicians and improving society’s general health. The aim of this study was to assess the factors and motivations which affect medical students’ major selection. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, opinions of 351 medical students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences who were selected by means of census method in 2014-15 were analyzed. Data were collected by a 22-item questionnaire whose validity was verified by experts. Its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha at 0.84. Descriptive statistical tests, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: 185 students (57.5%) were female and 191 (61%) were natives of Khuzestan Province and their average age was 22.33±3.7 (18-32 years old). According to the mean scores, individual motivations and serving the society (3.07±0.69), employment, high income and social status (3.01±0.68) and interest in the medical field (2.87±0.98) were the most important factors affecting medical major selection. The role of family and friends in female students’ major selection was significantly more important than male students (p=0.03, F=1.255). Comparison of the views of students divided by their year of entrance to the university showed that the mean score of students’ views in most of the aspects decreases significantly (p=0.001, F=34.97). Conclusion: Medical students believe that serving the society, high income and social status are important factors in medical major selection. With higher educational stage, students’ motivation and interest in studying medical fields would decrease. Decreased motivation of medical students during their study should be taken as a warning for the authorities of health care sector.