Nepalese dental hygiene and dental students’ career choice motivation and plans after graduation: a descriptive cross-sectional comparison

BMC Medical Education

Research Article

Leila Karimi¹  Jane Farmer²  Ron J. M. Knevel³  Mark G. Gussy³ 

[1] La Trobe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3086, Bundoora, VIC, Australia;La Trobe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, PO Box 199, 3552, Bendigo, VIC, Australia;La Trobe University, School of Dentistry and Oral Health, PO Box 199, 3552, Bendigo, VIC, Australia;

关键词: Dental education;    Dental hygienist education;    Career motivation;    Perception;    Career expectation;    Study motivation;    Nepal;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-015-0500-5

 received in 2014-11-10, accepted in 2015-12-03,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThis is the first study of its kind to provide data regarding the self-reported career choice motivation and intentions after graduation of dental and dental hygiene students in Nepal. The findings of this study can be used to inform future oral health workforce planning in Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of dentistry and dental hygiene students attending a large accredited dental college in Kathmandu, Nepal. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM® SPSS® 22. The respondents were given the opportunity to provide clarifying comments to some of the questions.ResultsTwo hundred questionnaires were distributed, and 171 students completed the anonymous survey (response rate 86 %). Working in health care and serving the community were the most important initial motives for career choice, with significantly more dentistry students selecting their degree course because of the possibility to work flexible working hours (p < .001) compared to dental hygiene students. A majority of the students expressed concern about finding a suitable job (58 %) after graduation. Almost a quarter (23 %) reported intent to seek a job immediately after graduation, while 46 % plan further studies. Dentistry students were more likely to report planning further studies (p = .007) compared to the dental hygiene students. Dental hygiene students express a higher interest in going abroad (p = .011) following graduation. Only 10 % of all students plan to live or work in rural areas after study. Most common preferred locations to live after graduation are urban (33 %) or abroad (38 %). Data suggest a preference to combine working in a hospital with working in their own practice (44 %) while interest in solely working in their own practice is low (<2 %).ConclusionMany students, though enthusiastic about their profession and expressing the ambition to serve the community, fear unemployment or envision better chances abroad. Most of the students in this study expressed a preference to live in an urban area after graduation. Findings indicate that strong measures are required to incentivise students to consider rural work.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Knevel et al. 2015