Evaluating Student Attitude towards Careers in Ophthalmology as a Medical Option Southern India
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background
Although ophthalmology offers a unique combination of lifestyle balance, microsurgical precision, and technological integration, it remains underrepresented among medical students’ specialty preferences in India. Perceptions that underlie these attitudes are crucial to understand.
Objective
Research was conducted to analyze the attitudes, interests and factors influencing ophthalmology as a career choice among undergraduate medical students in South India.
Methods
This cross sectional study with a descriptive design was conducted in the Southern part of India during March – May 2025 inclusive of various medical colleges. Using a stratified random sampling method, 450 MBBS students were selected for the research.
From the pre-clinical up to internship level of medical graduate were recruited. The data was collected by utilizing a pre-designed and pre-validated questionnaire. It included student's demographic variables, interest in the medical specialty, perceived characteristics of the specialty and institutional exposure to the specialty. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26.0, employing descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression.
Results
Among the 450 respondents, those in the age group of 21–25 years was 60.62% and 52.85% were female. 63.73% had clinical exposure to ophthalmology, and only 3.11% were likely to choose it as a career. A total of 86.53% cited lifestyle appeal while 74.61% called it a financially unrewarding specialisation. Factors contributing to employees upskilling were work-life balance(84.5%) and technological advancement(43.17%). 54% cited inadequate institutional exposure.
Conclusion
Although ophthalmology is recognized for its lifestyle and innovation, deterrents such as limited exposure, financial misperceptions, and perceived competitiveness hinder its selection. Integrating structured clinical rotations, mentorship programs, and surgical simulation experiences may enhance its attractiveness as a career for medical students in India.