Impact of career choice on learning of medical students

Objective: To observe the effect of selection of profession on learning of medical students.Methodology: It was a cross sectional questionnaire based study conducted from February 2009 till 2012 on first year medical students of Bahria Universi- ty Medical & Dental College. Students were stratified into two groups on the basis of selection of profession on their own (Group A) and by compulsion as (Group B). The responses in terms of active learning were acquired by partic- ipation in group discussions, work based learning, interaction with teachers, and peers. The frequencies of responses were analyzed and both groups com- pared by chi square test.Results: Group A (Opted) comprised of 263 (71%) students as compare to 105 (29%) students in Group B (p<0.001). Group A had 248 (94%) girls whereas65 (62%) boys were there in group B. Participation in discussions 231 (88%) of Group A was significant as compared to 73 (70%) in group B; p=0.01. Critical reasoning in Group A students; 229 (87%), was more in comparison to 73 (70%) in Group B (p=0.04). Interaction with teachers and peers was in Group A was identical 229(87%) vs. 65(62%) and 81(77%) in Group B respectively; p=0.0001, 0.014. Group A students were confident, explored personal atti- tudes, worked in group and improved by feedbacks.Conclusion: Majority of students predominantly the females selected medical profession on choice. This selection was reflected on learning of students and they were found to be active learners.