Perception and Attitudes of Medical Students towards Dermatology
as a Future Specialty, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Alajmi, Rakan S; AlNazzawi, Rahaf; Aljefri, Yara; Alafif, Abdullah; Alraddadi, Ali; Alamri, Awadh

doi:10.5455/ijsm.dermatology-medical-students-saudi-arabia

Cited by 4 publications

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“…Favourable perceptions of the field held by medical students were based on media portrayal of the field. 8 On the other hand, experiences receiving care from dermatologists as a patient did not appear to positively impact perception of the field. 6 For students expressing interest in the field of dermatology, one of the factors drawing students to the field was the impact that dermatologists have on their patients' lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Our scoping review results demonstrate that across countries, few students demonstrated interest in the field of dermatology. Favourable perceptions of the field held by medical students were based on media portrayal of the field 8 . On the other hand, experiences receiving care from dermatologists as a patient did not appear to positively impact perception of the field 6 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…8 The most attractive factors of the field of dermatology were the appeal of being a dermatologist, media portrayal of different specialities, and the likelihood of dermatologists' influence on patients' lives. 8 A survey of medical students at the University of Lomé, Togo similarly demonstrated few students with interest in dermatology. 7 The majority of Germans have consulted a dermatologist in the past, and yet dermatology consistently F I G U R E 1 Flow chart detailing inclusion and exclusion criteria ranked low in terms of prestige and importance of the speciality.…”

Section: Perceptions Of Dermatologists and Field Of Dermatologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as of yet, we could not find any study evaluating U.S. medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology. Some studies, however, have assessed medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology in countries in Europe, 5,6 Africa, 7 and the Middle East 8 . A survey of medical students across four Californian institutions demonstrated that medical students' dermatology clerkship experiences were predominantly positive 9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies, however, have assessed medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology in countries in Europe, 5 , 6 Africa, 7 and the Middle East. 8 A survey of medical students across four Californian institutions demonstrated that medical students' dermatology clerkship experiences were predominantly positive. 9 Nevertheless, the particular perceptions and traits associated with dermatology and dermatologists that derive from the media or other forms of representation have not been delineated in the medical student population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scoping review of medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology

Abdelwahab

Shahin

Kim

et al. 2022

Skin Health and Disease

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Background Although perceived barriers to applying to dermatology have been researched among medical students, there remains a dearth of literature dedicated to understanding perceptions that medical students have of the field of dermatology and dermatologists. Methods A review of the literature in Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were carried out to identify articles and abstracts between 2016 and 2021 relating to medical student perceptions of the field of dermatology. Peer‐reviewed English studies measuring attitudes/level of interest in dermatology or other specialities, understanding of dermatologic topics, procedures, and/or scope of practice were included. Duplicate studies and conference abstracts were excluded. All publications were screened using the PRISMA‐Sc guidelines. Findings were summarised and tabulated accordingly. Results A total of nine articles met inclusion criteria and eight are included in this review since one was not accessible online. Notable findings include non‐US medical students perceiving dermatology as monotonous, stigmatized, unfamiliar, and difficult to access with a misunderstanding of the diversity and severity of the conditions dermatologists treat. No data on US medical student perceptions was found. Perceptions were found to be influential in career planning: medical students may reject specialities after exposure to negative comments on the field. Factors attracting students to dermatology include the appeal of being a dermatologist, media portrayal, and dermatologists' influence on patients' lives. Completion of dermatology‐related activities improved medical student interest, comfort, and understanding of the field. Early dermatology exposure in US undergraduate premedical students led to heightened interest in the field, more confidence in ability to find dermatology mentors, and increased perception that dermatology serves the needs of underserved communities. Conclusions This review demonstrates the need to further investigate medical student perceptions of dermatology, particularly in the United States. Perceptions of medical specialities can impact medical student career choices. Understanding which misconceptions may be preventing students from exploring dermatology can inform efforts towards improving diversity, equity, and inclusion: translating to an equitable match and improving patient outcomes. Limitations include exclusion of articles published before 2016, geographic variability in studies, and limited data on evolving student perceptions over time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Perceptions Of Dermatologists and Field Of Dermatologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scoping review of medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology

Abdelwahab

Shahin

Kim

et al. 2022

Skin Health and Disease

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Recent Trends in Dermatologists’ Career Choices: A Cross-sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Alharithy,

Alotaibi,

Shadid

et al. 2023

Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine

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Background: Several factors might affect career choice. Limited studies have been conducted to explore these factors among dermatologists. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine prevalent career preferences among Saudi dermatologists and assess the factors associated with those preferences. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated among 110 Saudi dermatologists who graduated from the national or international dermatology boards in Saudi Arabia between April and July 2020. Main Outcome Measures: Dermatologists’ career choices and associated factors after dermatology board training. Results: Out of the participating dermatologists, 50% were females, and 50% were males. A total of 80% of participants were married, and 74.5% had children. 43.6% of dermatologists decided to pursue academic careers postresidency, 35.5% opted for private practice, and 20.9% opted for governmental clinical practice (Ministry of Health [MOH]/non-MOH). Gaining new skills, a perceived favorable job market, and earning/income potential was the most common motive for pursuing a fellowship, whereas geographic distribution and working hours were the least common motives. Participants aged 46 years and above had a 6.02-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–24.15) higher odds of choosing clinical practice over academics compared to participants aged 30–35 years. Having children was associated with a 2.83-fold (95% CI: 1.07–7.50) higher odds of choosing clinical practice over academic. Conclusions: The surveyed dermatologists preferred clinical practice just after residency. After finishing their residency, more than half of the respondents decided to pursue a fellowship. The most important reasons for pursuing a fellowship are the acquisition of new skills and the enhancement of employment opportunities, whereas prestige is the least essential factor. Older age and having children were strongly associated with the odds of choosing clinical practice over academic.

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Factors Influencing Medical Students' Interest in Dermatology: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Alwadany¹,

Ojail²,

Almousa³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Introduction The demand for dermatologists is increasing due to the rising prevalence of skin diseases and the growing importance of dermatological care. However, there is limited research investigating the factors that influence medical students' interest in pursuing dermatology as a career option in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Eastern Province. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dermatology rotation experience on the interest and perception of medical students and interns in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The participants consisted of medical students and interns located specifically in the Eastern Province. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire that captured socio-demographic characteristics and evaluated the impact of dermatology rotation experience using a 3-point Likert scale. Convenient non-probability sampling was employed by sharing the questionnaire link on popular social media platforms. Results A total of 697 medical students from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia participated in this study, with an almost equal distribution between genders. A substantial proportion of participants expressed a strong preference for dermatology as their future career. While approximately 60% had completed a dermatology rotation, more than half found the process tiring. However, most participants agreed that dermatology offers flexible working hours, a better lifestyle, superior career options, and higher earnings compared to other healthcare professions. The study also revealed that factors such as age, marital status, academic level, GPA (grade point average), and income influenced the impact of the dermatology rotation. Conclusion This study sheds light on the factors influencing medical students' interest in dermatology and their perceptions of dermatology rotations. The findings emphasize the importance of diversity, early exposure, educational interventions, and supportive environments in promoting dermatology as a career choice. Overcoming barriers, enhancing transparency in assessment systems, and improving educational experiences can further foster interest in dermatology among medical students and address the growing demand for dermatological care.

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Perception and Attitudes of Medical Students towards Dermatology as a Future Specialty, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Scoping review of medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology

Scoping review of medical students' perceptions of the field of dermatology

Recent Trends in Dermatologists’ Career Choices: A Cross-sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Factors Influencing Medical Students' Interest in Dermatology: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

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