Abstract:

A career, in general, is to show progress in a profession and, taking responsibility, gaining status and dignity. It is the development of activity, responsibility, attitude and behaviour of a person in professional life. Career opportunities at different levels in fundamental, internal and surgical sciences are awaiting Medical students after graduation. In this study, we aim to determine the career preferences of the last year students in the Faculty of Medicine and to determine the factors that affect these preferences. Mixed research method and complementarity pattern were used in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously and the results of the other method were used to elaborate, present, increase and clarify the findings obtained from the other method. Focus group interviews and career preference questionnaire were used as data collection tools. The focus group interviews were analysed with content analysis. Interview transcripts were coded and categorised afterwards. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s Exact Test were used in data analysis. 0f the participants, 60.9% (n = 28) were female and the mean age was 24.4 (± 1.9). Of the students, 66.7% (n = 30) planned to study in internal medicine after graduation, 28.9% (n = 13) in surgical medicine sciences, and 4.4% (n = 2) in fundamental science. None of the students wanted to continue their career as a general practitioner. Eighty-four per cent of the students stated that they want to work in public hospitals after graduation. “Lifestyle flexibility” and “acceptable working hours” were the factors that affected the career preference most. The factors that had the least impact on career choice were “family influence”, “necessity to spend time and money for continuous professional development” and “community perceived status”. Interest, ability, money, dignity, status, acceptable and manageable working conditions, narrow and focused and general area of application, score from medical specialty exam (TUS), professional satisfaction, relationships with patients and their relatives, ethical relations, international opportunities and career counselling, were determined as factors from focus group interviews, affecting career choice. In order to support students' ability to make career planning according to their abilities and interests, and to ensure a balanced service distribution in the health field, besides the regulation of working conditions, the presence of positive role models and career counselling are gaining importance.

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