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Background and objective Choosing a medical specialty is one of the most critical career decisions medical students and interns make. However, little is known about the factors these graduates consider when choosing their specialty. Our study assessed factors that medical students and interns consider when determining their specialty. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey-based study, conducted from November to December 2022. We utilized a previously published questionnaire for 1074 participants, including 837 medical students and 237 interns from Saudi Arabian universities. Results The majority of female participants (80.4%), compared with only 19.6% of male participants, considered interest in specific procedures and techniques typical of the specialty an important factor in choosing a specialty (p = 0.036). Dissertation research experience was an important factor for 83.5% of female participants and 16.5% of male participants (p = 0.024). Additionally, good quality teaching within the study program framework was important for 81.2% of female participants and 18.8% of male participants (p = 0.033), suggesting that male and female participants viewed the importance of good quality teaching differently. Female participants accounted for 80% of those who considered the overseas experience a factor in their specialty choice. Also, 74.4% of female and 25.6% of male participants considered friends, relatives, or other connections in the healthcare field a factor that affects their choice. Furthermore, 79.6% of female and 20.4% of male participants reported having good experiences with physician role models as an impactful factor in their specialty choice. Conclusion Female participants were most interested in obstetrics and gynecology (12.1%,), internal medicine (11.8%), and family medicine (10.8%). Male participants, on the other hand, showed more interest in family medicine (12.7%,), internal medicine (11.0%), and emergency medicine (10.1%). Medical schools and healthcare institutions must provide students and interns with enough information and resources to help them explore different specialties and make well-informed decisions about their careers.
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Objective: Varicocele, the dilation of the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord. It is discovered incidentally in most patients. Symptoms vary, but its impact is especially experienced in the field of fertility and reflected in semen parameters. Varicocelectomy is a surgical approach to correct the varicocele, however, reports are conflicting regarding its success. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of varicocelectomy on semen parameters and conception rates in patients who underwent surgery and its association with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included the complete medical records of 86 patients. Data collection form included the patient's age, body mass index (BMI), chronic diseases, smoking, surgical history, medication usage, and the reason for performing surgery. Presurgical and postsurgical semen parameters were evaluated 3 months before surgery and an average of 6 months postoperatively. Data were analyzed with SPSS, Chi-square test, and independent and paired t-test. Results: No significant difference was found between primary and secondary infertility regarding semen analysis, postoperative semen analysis indicated an improvement in semen motility at 180 min with no effect on other parameters. Using spontaneous intercourse or in vitro fertilization (IVF) after varicocelectomy was significantly associated with increasing conception rates irrespective of the type of infertility. Diabetes, hypertension, BMI, and smoking did not appear to affect semen parameters. Conclusion: Patients who underwent varicocelectomy had improved sperm motility at 180 min and subsequently had a higher chance of successful conception either through spontaneous intercourse or IVF. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship between conception and sperm motility. Semen parameters were not affected if the patient had comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Furthermore, smoking and BMI did not appear to affect the conception rate.