Interest in medical science and social commitments are most essential to the medical profession. This study evaluated the attitude and knowledge of first-year undergraduate medical students about the medical profession at the beginning of their orientation program.
A cross-sectional study was done using a validated questionnaire, which was designed to cover influence to select the course, knowledge of medical research and attitude about the profession. The data were statistically analyzed.
A total of 87 students were enrolled with a response rate of 80%, and 43 (61.4%) students decided to choose the course during their high school studies (Group 1), while 27 (38.6%) decided during their higher secondary education (Group 2). Students in both groups did not give any response (65.1–77.8%) against their interest in social service. Interest in medical research (25%) and knowledge about the super specialty degree were less among group 1. Group 2 had a larger proportion even though both groups strongly disagreed with the practices of doctors in hospitals alone (p = 0.02).
A single-center study with a small sample size and subjects whose socioeconomic status was not taken into account.
Awareness regarding the social commitment of the field is essential for students before choosing a career in medicine. In order to spark interest in the carrier phases of study, the scope of various specialty degrees and medical research should be covered during the first-year foundation course.
Study on the attitudes and knowledge of medical students prior to orientation has not been done previously.
