Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39762583›Full record

ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2025

Factors influencing medical students' interest in obstetrics and gynecology: a longitudinal study on career preferences.

Lina Duhm, Agnes Wittek, Adeline Walter, Ruben Plöger, Nicolas Haverkamp, Milka Marinova, Brigitte Strizek, Florian Recker

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lina DuhmDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Agnes WittekDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Adeline WalterDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Ruben PlögerDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Nicolas HaverkampOffice of the Dean of Studies, Faculty of Medicine Bonn, Rhenish-Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Milka MarinovaDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Brigitte StrizekDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Florian ReckerDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany. florian.recker@ukbonn.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionChoosing a medical specialty is a pivotal moment in a physician's career, shaped by personal interests, clinical experiences, and professional interactions. Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) offers a unique blend of surgical and medical care focused on women's health. Given the growing demand for OB-GYN specialists, understanding the factors that influence students' decisions is essential for workforce planning. This study compares the factors influencing first-year and final-year medical students at the University of Bonn in their decision to pursue OB-GYN.

methodsA total of 325 medical students participated in this longitudinal study, with 112 first-year and 213 final-year students completing digital surveys. The surveys assessed interest in OB-GYN, the importance of work-life balance, night shifts, future income, and the option for outpatient care. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and McNemar's tests, were used to identify significant changes in perceptions between the two groups.

resultsInterest in pursuing OB-GYN declined from 60% among first-year students to 32% among final-year students (p < 0.001). The number of students concerned about night shifts increased from 48% in the first year to 76% in the final year (p < 0.001). Work-life balance was a critical factor for 97% of final-year students compared to 80% of first-year students (p < 0.01). The potential for outpatient care grew in importance, with 90% of final-year students prioritizing it in their specialty decision (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The findings show that clinical exposure, lifestyle considerations, and mentorship significantly impact students' interest in OB-GYN. Notably, interest in the specialty declined sharply from 60 to 32%, underscoring the importance of addressing key deterrents such as concerns about work-life balance. These challenges suggest that educational reforms should focus on creating flexible career paths and enhancing mentorship opportunities to attract and retain OB-GYN specialists. By tackling students' concerns about lifestyle and offering adaptable career options, the specialty can sustain interest and ensure a sufficient future workforce to meet women's healthcare needs.

Indexed as

Career ChoiceGynecologyObstetricsStudents, MedicalAdultFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesWork-Life BalanceYoung AdultCareer choiceEducationGynecologyMedical studentsObstetricsUndergraduate Education

Identifiers

PMID39762583
PMCPMC11920290

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.