• Elsadig Yousif Mohamed.
• Dr. Elsadig Yousif Mohamed, MD. Department of Community Medicine College of Medicine, Majmaah University Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2022 Jul 1; 38 (6): 143114351431-1435.

ObjectivesTo study specialties preference of the students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia; and to determine the factors that affect the choice of their postgraduate specialty.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia for the current academic year 2021-2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, and a Chi-square test was utilized to compare qualitative data.ResultsInternal medicine is the first choice for 16 (19.8%) students. General surgery and family medicine were selected by 15 (18.5%) and 12 (14.8%) students, respectively. Sixty-seven (82.7%) students relied on their selection of a good future guaranteed by specialty, and 48 (49.3%) selected challenging specialty; 64 (79.0%) were motivated by a practicing doctor for their future specialty selection and 54 (66.7%) by their families.ConclusionsMost preferred specialty for medical students is internal medicine followed by general surgery. Both genders preferred internal medicine as their future specialty. Some important specialties such as public health and basic medical sciences were not selected as a future specialty by any student. The most stated reason behind specialty selection is the provision for a good future. Most students are motivated by a practicing doctor to select a postgraduate specialty.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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