Factors Contributing to Students’ Choice of Field of Study in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences

Background and purpose: Choosing the field of study is considered an important choice in one’s life, so careful consideration of possible options is critical to make the right decision. This study is an attempt to identify contributing factors to students’ choosing their field of study Methods: In this cross sectional study students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences who were studying in the first semester of 2005-6 academic year were selected randomly from each program proportionate to sex ratio and comparative number of students studying in each program. A self-administered questionnaire with questions on possible factors contributing to their choice of their study field and extent of satisfaction with the program was used.Data extracted from questionnaire and tested by T test using SPSS software.Results: Of a total of 386 students, 369(95%) completed and returned the questionnaire. Of all students, 117(31.7%) stated that they had good information about their choice of study when they chose their study field, 168(45.5%) said that they had little information and 84(22.8%) said thatthey had no information. Compared with male students female students choice were more affected by their gender (27.9% versus 19%, p=0.045), education of other members of the family (46.7% versus 29.8%, p=0.003), distance of the university to their home town (50.5% versus 37.9%,p=0.033). Of all respondent, 151(40.9%) said they were highly satisfied with their field of study, 146(39.6%) said that they were mildly satisfied and, 70(19%) were not satisfied at all.Conclusion: Given the costs of training a doctor in terms of time and energy and money, this shows that much should be done to help high school graduates to have an informed image of health care professions.