Aim: To determine the factors affecting the choice of surgery as a future career specialty among medical interns in a regional hospital in Nigeria. Method: A total of 74 junior doctors who completed internship training at the university of Benin teaching Hospital in 2012 were interviewed in this cross sectional study. A structured questionnaire was administered to determine the factors influencing the choice of surgery as a future career specialty. Result: The respondents included 48 (64.9) males and 26 (35.1) females with a mean age of 26.94±1.8 years. Twenty eight (37.8) doctors were interested in the pursuit of a career in surgery while 46(62.2) were not. The male doctors were more likely to choose surgery as a career than their female colleagues (p=0.01). The most common reasons given for choosing surgery as a career were 'scientific challenge of surgical practice' in 22(78.6) and 'gratification from immediate patient outcome' in 14 (50.0). The predominant reasons for not opting for surgery were 'demanding nature of surgical practice' in 18(39.1) and 'no inclination towards surgery' in 11(23.9) respondents. Poor practical exposure and lack of a role model were factors associated with a choice against surgery. Conclusion: The choice of surgery as a future career specialty is common among medical interns in the sub region. Adequate mentoring and early practical exposure are among factors needed to maintain this interest.
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