[01] Duneesha Malinthi Jayaweera Andra Hennadige, Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia. [02] Mohd Fareez Zulfiqar Shah Bin Jumansa, Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia. [03] Yashwini Rajasekharan, Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia. [04] Kavindu Gayantha Ariyarathne Kolumunnage Don, Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Melaka, Malaysia.

The choice of intended specialty of a medical student plays an important role in determining their future career; being a source of motivation and drive to work towards and a goal they strive hard to achieve. There are many factors that could influence the choice of specialty of medical students, both encouraging and discouraging. Currently, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students around the world are continuing their education predominantly via online platforms and distance learning. This alternative approach to medical education has impacted students in numerous ways. This study was designed to determine the student perceptions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their future specialty choices. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 medical students at Manipal University College Malaysia from June to July 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of data was done using Epi Info software, with the use of the Chi-square test and non-parametric statistical tests. All statistical tests included a two-tailed level of significance (p < 0.05). Out of the 141 participants, 49 (35%) declared that the COVID-19 pandemic would affect their choice of future specialty, primarily due to the lack of exposure to patients and not having sufficient opportunities to explore specialties of choice. It was noted that students suffering from depression/anxiety (OR=2.70) and increased stress during the pandemic (OR=2.36) were more likely to alter their choice of specialty. Decreased willingness to specialise was associated with decreased levels of confidence of medical students to approach or examine patients as a result of inadequate exposure to patients and online learning (r=0.084). We conclude that the effects of the pandemic on education and lifestyle of medical students have impacted their future career choices making students less confident to approach patients and less willing to specialise in the future.

Choice of Specialty, Confidence, COVID-19, Medical Students

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