Attitude of Third-Year Internships in Thailand: To be or not to be in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training ?

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the opinion to pursue the residency training in Obstetrics and

Gynecology of third-year internships who work in Thailand.

Materials and methods:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Questionnaires consisted

of demographic question, questions about desire and factors influencing their selection for

residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and other fields were sent to all third-year

internships in Thailand.

Results:

Eight hundred and seventy six third-year internships (57.8% of all third-year

internships) completed the questionnaires. Only 69 respondents (8.4%) chose Obstetrics and

Gynecology residency training. Positive factors influencing their decisions included the chance

of practicing surgical procedure, the enhancing the ability of taking care pregnant women and

child birth and good impression of the instructors. On the contrary, negative factors included

high risk of litigation and serious complications, unusual life-style of obstetrician had poor

impact on the internship selection of specialty.

Conclusions:

Only 8.4% of third-year internships decided to pursue residency training in Obstetrics

and Gynecology. The risk of law suits and life-style issues might detract them from pursuing

Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training.