Abstract

Understanding how a specialty is viewed by medical students can be used as an opportunity for early intervention to improve perception of it and reduce future workforce problems. We analysed positive and negative factors of the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) as perceived by medical students to gain insight into changes that need to be made to improve recruitment and retention. We invited final year medical students in the Republic of Ireland to complete a survey; of the 195 students approached, 134 completed the survey (69% response rate). The majority were female (55%) and Direct Entry Medicine students (76%). 31% scored 6 or more on a 10-point Likert scale when asked about their likelihood of considering a career in O&G. Students’ clerkship experience factored heavily into their perception of the specialty and was more likely to be positive if they experienced direct consultant engagement and the opportunity for hands-on experience. Lifestyle factors, litigation and media were found to be deterrents to considering the specialty after graduation. Educators and those working within the specialty should showcase the strengths of the specialty during undergraduate education, and work on improving barriers to ultimately provide a structured approach to improving recruitment into O&G.