Perceptions and Factors That Influence the Choice of Pathology as a Career Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Pathologists play a pivotal role in diagnosing diseases and improving patient care. Nonetheless, research indicates that a mere fraction of medical school graduates opt for a career in pathology, ranging from 1% to 3%. Diverse factors influence students' perceptions of pathology, encompassing lifestyle, patient interaction, and income. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions and factors that influence students' selection of pathology as a career in Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional, self-administered electronic questionnaire was distributed among students from various regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire encompassed both quantitative and qualitative data. To ensure statistical rigor, a confidence level of 95%, response distribution of 10%, and margin of error of 5% were applied. Accordingly, the recommended sample size of 150 participants was determined. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with the chi-square test applied at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results Among the 664 participating students, 130 (19.6%) indicated an interest in pathology, of whom only 19 (2.9%) regarded it as their primary choice. No statistically significant difference was found between the male and female students or between the students in foundational and clinical years. Conclusions The female students generally held a more favorable perception of pathology, acknowledging its clinical significance and role in diagnosis, prognosis, and patient management. The absence of nocturnal calls emerged as the most encouraging factor, while limited patient interaction emerged as the primary deterrent in choosing pathology.

Knowledge and Preparedness of Physicians in Relation to Anaphylaxis at Primary Healthcare Centers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Background Anaphylaxis is a significant, often fatal, systemic allergic reaction with a rapid start that may affect the respiratory and/or circulatory systems; for patients to survive, emergency management must be done properly. When anaphylaxis is confirmed or highly suspected, epinephrine should be injected intramuscularly. This study aimed to assess the preparedness of primary healthcare physicians for anaphylaxis in terms of recognition and management of this condition in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out among primary healthcare physicians in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the targeted physicians. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic characteristics, general awareness and management of anaphylaxis, and a 10-item questionnaire to assess physicians' knowledge of anaphylaxis. Results Out of 121 primary healthcare physicians, 61.2% were male, and 47.9% were aged between 25 and 35 years. Nearly all physicians (97.5%) believed that anaphylaxis is a life-threatening situation. The overall mean knowledge score was 4.74 out of 10 points. Nearly half (48.8%) were categorized as having poor knowledge levels, 43% as moderate, and only 8.3% as having good knowledge. Being specialists/consultants and being trained in managing anaphylaxis were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusion The knowledge of primary care physicians regarding anaphylaxis was deficient. However, increased knowledge of anaphylaxis was seen more frequently among consultants or specialists who attended training for managing anaphylaxis cases. A multi-center study involving a bigger sample size is needed to establish physicians' knowledge of anaphylaxis.