Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39773450›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Factors influencing choice of residency program among medical intern doctors and medical students: a cross-sectional survey.

Ali Al Ajmi, Masoud Kashoub, Ibrahim S Al-Busaidi, Mohammed Al Rashdi, Moza AlHussaini, Arwa Alsaidi, Mohammed Al Rawahi, Abdullah M Al Alawi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 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. Article
  2. Factors associated with resident pursuit of pediatric ophthalmology fellowship.Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
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.

Ali Al AjmiInternal Medicine Residency Training Program, Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman.
Masoud KashoubDepartment of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, PO Box: 38; PC: 123, Muscat, Oman. masoud.kashoob@gmail.com.
Ibrahim S Al-BusaidiDepartment of Primary Care and Clinical Simulation, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Mohammed Al RashdiInternship Program, College of Medicine and Health Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
Moza AlHussainiCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Oman National University, Sohar, Oman.
Arwa AlsaidiCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Oman National University, Sohar, Oman.
Mohammed Al RawahiInternal Medicine Residency Training Program, Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman.
Abdullah M Al AlawiInternal Medicine Residency Training Program, Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe global shortage of healthcare professionals is a critical concern, with an estimated deficit of 18 million workers by 2030, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Oman faces challenges with its doctor-to-population ratio falling below the global average. This study examines the factors influencing residency program choices among Omani medical students and interns, with a specific focus on internal medicine.

methodsA cross-sectional survey using a validated, context-specific questionnaire was distributed to medical interns and clinical clerkship students at Sultan Qaboos University and the National University.Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were used to explore demographic patterns and factors influencing specialty choices, including internal medicine.

resultsOut of 803 distributed surveys, 459 responses were collected, yielding a response rate of 58.8%. The study comprised 459 participants, with 26.1% males and 73.9% females, and an average age of 23.85 years (SD = 1.70). Internal medicine was selected by 19.9% of participants. Key factors influencing the choice of internal medicine included societal respect and a comfortable specialty department atmosphere. Gender differences showed that men prioritized factors such as aptitude for the specialty, attainable lifestyle, and risk of malpractice lawsuits, while women focused on the workplace environment. Role models played an important role in career decisions, with 25.7% of participants identifying a physician role model.

conclusionInternal medicine emerged as a popular specialty among Omani medical students and interns, driven by intellectual stimulation, job security, and work-life balance. Addressing gender-specific influences and expanding mentorship opportunities are essential to optimizing career guidance. The findings also emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address rural healthcare professional shortages. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Career ChoiceInternal MedicineInternship and ResidencyStudents, MedicalAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMentorsOmanSex FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultCareer decisionGender differencesInternal medicineMedical studentsOmanResidency choice

Identifiers

PMID39773450
PMCPMC11707892

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.