Career Intentions and Future Work Plan of Intern Doctors at a Private Medical College in Northern Zone of Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The career decisions of intern doctors critically influence the future distribution of medical specialists in Bangladesh, a country facing significant healthcare workforce shortages. With limited postgraduate training slots, understanding specialty preferences and their determinants is essential for national health workforce planning. This study aimed to assess the career intentions, specialty choices, and influencing factors among intern doctors at a private medical college in northern Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 among all 61 intern doctors at Prime Medical College, Rangpur. Data were collected using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio-demographic characteristics, specialty preferences, future practice intentions, and factors influencing career choice. Results: All 61 intern doctors participated (male: 34, female: 27). All intended to pursue postgraduate training. Surgery was the most preferred specialty (34.4%), followed by Internal Medicine (24.6%), and Obstetrics & Gynaecology (19.7%). Notably, among those who chose Surgery, 85.7% were male. For female interns, Obstetrics & Gynaecology was the most preferred specialty (33.3%). The most influential factor on career choice was personal interest and enjoyment (93.4%). Most interns (86.9%) intended to practice in major cities, primarily Dhaka. Conclusion: Interns in this setting show a strong preference for surgical and medical specialties and urban practice, driven by personal interest and job market perceptions. These trends may worsen existing workforce imbalances. Targeted interventions, such as early career counseling and incentives for underserved specialties and regions, are recommended to align career choices with national health needs.