Prevalence and Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education Abroad Among Medical Interns in India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Every year thousands of medical graduates go abroad to pursue higher education after completing MBBS in India. This consistent rush of medical graduates abroad can negatively impact India’s health care. This study is conducted to find the prevalence of intention among medical interns to pursue higher education abroad and to identify the factors influencing the pursuit of higher education abroad. Methods: Ethical Clearance: Institutional ethical clearance was given on May 11, 2023, vide letter no. SGRD/IEC/2023-190. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Population: MBBS Interns of medical colleges in India. Study Tool - Predesigned and Pretested questionnaire. Data Collection Procedure: The questionnaire was shared through Google Forms in specific social WhatsApp groups. Data Collection Duration: Google forms were circulated on 1st June 2023, and closed on 1st July 2023. A total of 417 interns who gave consent were able to access the questionnaire and fill in their answers. Statistical Analysis: Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were used to arrive at valid conclusions. Conclusion: Lower educational costs, greater stipends, less competition for admission, better healthcare facilities, opportunities for personal improvement, and better career option semerged as major influencing factors for the pursuit of higher education abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]