FUTURE OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN AFRICA - ASSESSING ASSESSING MEDICAL STUDENTS' CAREER CHOICES AND INTENTIONS. samuelfodop04@gmail.com

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FUTURE OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN AFRICA - ASSESSING ASSESSING MEDICAL STUDENTS' CAREER CHOICES AND INTENTIONS.

8

Cameroon

Oral or Poster

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) facing a severe shortage of cardiac surgeons (0.12 per million people) and limited access to cardiac surgical care. This study explores the career aspirations of African medical students and examines the factors influencing their interest in pursuing various career paths and cardiac surgery in particular.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 807 medical students from various African medical schools. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire available in English, French, and Arabic. Sociodemographic characteristics, career aspirations, specialty preferences, and factors influencing career choices were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistical methods.

The mean age of participants was 22.79 ± 2.99 years, with a nearly equal gender distribution (51.2% male, 48.8% female). Surgery was the most preferred specialty (34.3%), cardiac surgery was chosen by 11.8% of participants, and 0.5% chose cardiothoracic surgery. The inclusion of cardiac surgery in the curriculum (p = 0.046) and exposure to cardiac patients (p = 0.034) positively influenced career interest. However, the presence of functional cardiac surgery units in teaching hospitals was negatively associated with pursuing the specialty (p = 0.032). Additionally, hospital-based exposure to cardiac surgery significantly reduced interest in cardiac surgery (p < 0.001) as a specialty choice. A majority (71.4%) intended to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, citing limited local opportunities.

The level of interest in cardiac surgery among medical students highlights the need for targeted interventions aimed at transforming this interest into a cardiac surgical workforce.