Alsuni Zainab, Alhubaishi Asmah, Othman Ghaliah, Alghanem Fatemah, Zakariyah Abeer, Bardesi Jameel, Rizk Hesham
College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
J Med Life. 2024 Oct;17(10):934-939. doi: 10.25122/jml-2024-0310.
This study explored the experiences of first-generation and non-first-generation medical students in Saudi Arabia regarding their education, career aspirations, attitudes toward medical school, and perceived stress. We aimed to provide insights into the struggles faced by first-generation medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 485 participants, 77.9% of whom were first-generation students. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and analyzed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. First-generation students were less decisive about future specialties, showed greater interest in taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exams, and expressed less interest in teaching roles than their non-first-generation counterparts. No significant differences were found in attitude, career considerations, quality of life, or daily activities. This study aligns with global calls for robust support programs, mentorship initiatives, and systemic interventions to enhance diversity and inclusivity in medical education. The research highlighted the importance of recognizing the diverse career aspirations and challenges first-generation medical students face. Tailored support programs are essential for fostering inclusivity in medical education, addressing unique needs, and enhancing students' overall well-being. Future research should continue to explore the factors influencing the experiences of first-generation and non-first-generation medical students to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve medical education.
本研究探讨了沙特阿拉伯第一代和非第一代医学生在教育、职业抱负、对医学院的态度以及感知压力方面的经历。我们旨在深入了解第一代医学生所面临的困难。这项横断面研究共招募了485名参与者，其中77.9%为第一代学生。数据收集采用了改编自美国医学院协会（AAMC）的问卷，并使用卡方检验和曼-惠特尼检验进行分析。与非第一代学生相比，第一代学生对未来专业的决策力较低，对参加美国医学执照考试和专业及语言评估委员会考试表现出更大兴趣，而对教学角色的兴趣较低。在态度、职业考虑、生活质量或日常活动方面未发现显著差异。本研究与全球对强大支持项目、指导计划和系统性干预措施的呼吁相一致，以增强医学教育的多样性和包容性。该研究强调了认识到第一代医学生不同的职业抱负和所面临挑战的重要性。量身定制的支持项目对于促进医学教育的包容性、满足独特需求以及提高学生的整体幸福感至关重要。未来的研究应继续探索影响第一代和非第一代医学生经历的因素，以推动不断努力改进医学教育。
