Career Aspirations Of Junior Doctors In Pakistan: Exploring Reasons Behind The Brain Drain.

BACKGROUND: Mass medical migration from Pakistan to more developed counties pose a threat to the professional resources of Pakistan. The aim of our study is to assess magnitude of the brain drain and to assess reasons behind it. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study, using convenience non-probability sampling, with sample of 201 Ayub Medical College graduates. A simple questionnaire was designed on Google Forms, comprising of three sections including bio data, intentions to emigrate and the last part evaluating work environment, training and personal factors associated with the desire to train abroad. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0, descriptive statistics were calculated and Chi square test was used to determine association between various groups of push and pull factors and the intention to train abroad. A significance level (p-value) of less than 0.05 was used. RESULTS: Over half (63.68%) of our participants wanted to emigrate, and out of the remaining 71.6% would consider it in the future if given the opportunity. Overall, more males wanted to train overseas as compared to females, and the United Kingdom was the most popular destination. The leading factor push factors behind wanting to move abroad were quality of training and a poor work environment. While family commitments and costly examinations were the main reasons to stay in Pakistan. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of young doctors are planning on pursue training/careers abroad. If this large-scale brain drain is not addressed on time, it can have various implications in the future. Hence the Government and Medical authorities must take action in order to prevent further loss.

Internet Addiction In Medical Students.

BACKGROUND: Internet is a technology that was designed to facilitate research and official communication. According to Internet World Stats, there are 3.36 billion internet users in the world. The internet usage has increased by 832.5% in the world since 2005. In Pakistan there are 25 million active users using internet. It is a multi-dimensional behavioural disorder that manifest in various physical, psychological and social disorders and causes a number of functional and structural changes in brain with related various comorbidities. There is paucity of local researches on this topic but the access to internet and its use is enormous. This study was conducted to find the magnitude of internet addiction in medical students. METHODS: It was a descriptive crosssectional study carried out in Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad. One hundred & forty-eight students were selected in the survey using stratified random sampling. The data was collected using academic and school competence scale and internet addiction diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: In this study, 11 (7.86%) fulfilled the criteria for internet addiction. Most of the students 93 (66.3%) used internet to visit social media applications. Majority of the students 10 (90.9%), showed tolerance as major non-essential symptom of internet addiction. Internet addicts showed significant p=0.01 below average academic performance when compared to non-addicts. Internet addiction showed a significant p=0.03 gender association with internet addiction more prevalent in females than males (12.5% Vs 2.9%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that excessive internet use leads to its addiction and is an entity of concern among medical students.