Background and Aims:In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of career preference in medicine as it affects student learning and academic performance. Various factors influence the specialty choices of medical students. Some specialties tend to attract students more than others. One possible consequence of this would be a mismatch between health needs and specialist numbers in the region. This study investigated the career preferences of 1st year medical students in a Saudi medical school and to assess factors affecting these choices.Materials and Methods:The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out on the 1st year undergraduate students in the college of medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. A total of 109 students (57 female and 52 males) responded to the questionnaire which was initially administered to all the students of the 1st year – A total of 120 students (response rate was 90.8%). A mixed method approach was used and qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed based on thematic analysis.Results:The top choices were general surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Among female students; the top specialty choices were: General surgery (23%), pediatrics (18%), and dermatology (15%). Among the male students; the top choices were: General surgery (54%) and internal medicine (23%). Of the total, 57% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that primary aptitude was the main factor affecting the choice. Only 31% felt that there was a significant influence of role model, 48% felt that the advice of others – peers and family, would be a factor influencing their choices, and 53% agreed that specialty choice would influence their future learning patterns. Males were more likely to choose a specialty based on actual aptitude for the specialty, financial rewards, and scope for research; and this gender difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:Surgery was the top-choice in both genders. Other popular choices included internal medicine, pediatrics, and dermatology. Important factors affecting these choices included – primary aptitude, advice of peers, reputation, financial rewards, and the challenge involved.

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Background:We evaluated the role of hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in Indian patients.Type of Study:Matched case control type of longitudinal study was conducted in 2006–2007.Materials and Methods:Two medical retina specialists examined the eyes having an event of RVO in the last 15 days. A similar number of eyes without RVO were also examined. The serum and urine homocysteine levels of these persons were tested. Matched pair analysis was carried out to determine the risk of RVO among those with hyperhomocysteinemia.Results:We included 20 cases of RVO and 20 age- and sex-matched persons without RVO. The risk of RVO was significantly higher in persons with hyperhomocysteinemia [difference of mean 31.62 μmol/L (95% Confidence Interval 16.60–47. 86), P = 2.1 × 10−13]. The mean urine homocysteine level among cases and controls was not statistically significant. There were 12 persons with hypertension in both cases and control groups.Conclusion:Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for RVO. Any list of investigations for a case of RVO should include total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels.

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