213 www.smj.org.sa Saudi Med J 2012; Vol. 33 (2) Factors influencing students’ decision in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a career in a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia To the Editor I have 2 comments on the interesting study by Abu- Rafea et al 1 on the factors infuencing students’ decision in choosing Obstetrics and Gynecology (Obs & Gyne) as a career in a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia. First, the low percentage of medical students (9.7%) interested in Obs & Gyne addressed by Abu-Rafea et al 1 really yields deep concern, as that will adversely afect the foreseeable medical workforce, and create gaps in the Obs & Gyne healthcare services to women. A similar concern, but to a lesser extent exists in Iraq where 20.6% of medical students showed a career in Obs & Gyne (1.5% male, 19.1% female, p<0.001). 2 Abu-Rafea et al 1 stated that the rotation of students through Obs & Gyne was the most infuential factor attracting 81.3% of the students who chose to take this course, and that faculty interaction was a major reason for attracting students accounting for 71.9%. In contrast, matching personal interest (33.3%), and anticipated higher income (29%) were ranked as the most infuencing factors contributed to the choice of a specialty among Iraqi medical students. 2 Interestingly, lifestyle and fnancial income have become more important to medical students in their career choice. 3,4 Second, a part from reinforcing dependent factors closely correlated with the career in Obs & Gyne among Saudi medical students, 1 considering students’ personality profles is of utmost importance. Tis is because personality or psychological features of the undergraduate medical students are substantially associated with their career choice. Students who chose Obs & Gyne were found to be anxiety-prone (neuroticism), uncomfortable around others (social anxiety), very concerned regarding appearances, and making a good impression (public self-conscious), and low in aggression, high in emotional vulnerability (masculinity-femininity). Tey see themselves as warm and helpful people, but at a deeper motivational level, they manifest a preference for experiences that make them feel potent and infuential (high power motive). Despite this need to feel strong and powerful, they tend to doubt that personal outcomes, which are so easily infuenced by their actions (external locus of control). 5 Also, they were noticed to like contact with (mostly healthy) patients, and express strong beliefs on reproductive issues. 6 Te Obs & Gyne clerkships must, therefore, integrate personality profles of the undergraduate medical students in formulating plans to enhance student’s interest in Obs & Gyne. Mahmood D. Al-Mendalawi Department of Pediatrics Al-Kindy College of Medicine Baghdad University Baghdad, Iraq Reply from the Author No reply was received from the Author. References 1. Abu-Rafea BF, Al-Hassan BF, Al Nakshabandi KA, Rahbini NO, Al-Shaikh GK. Factors infuencing students’ decision in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a career in a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2011; 32: 730-734. 2. Al-Mendalawi MD. Specialty preferences of Iraqi medical students. Clin Teach 2010; 7: 175-179. 3. Newton DA, Grayson MS, Tompson LF. Te variable infuence of lifestyle and income on medical students’ career specialty choices: data from two U.S. medical schools, 1998-2004. Acad Med 2005; 80: 809-814. 4. Ebell MH. Future salary and US residency fll rate revisited. JAMA 2008; 300: 1131-1132. 5. Zeldow PB, Daugherty SR. Personality profles and specialty choices of students from two medical school classes. Acad Med 1991; 66: 283-287. 6. Pawełczyk A, Pawełczyk T, Bielecki J. [Te efect of some factors on medical student specialty choice of non-primary care--a synthesis of the literature]. Pol Merkur Lekarski 2007; 22: 575-579. Polish Correspondence