Attitudes and Career Preferences Towards Psychiatry in South Asia: A Narrative Review of Medical Student and Physician Perspectives
S. M. Yasir Arafat, Sadeed HossainABSTRACT
Background and Aims
The role of psychiatry in medical science has been debated, sometimes questioned, and not always fully respected compared to other medical fields. However, the attitude towards psychiatry has been poorly discussed in South Asia. We aimed to examine the attitudes of medical students and physicians toward psychiatry in South Asia and to identify factors influencing career preference toward psychiatry.
Methods
A narrative review was conducted, covering eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Peer‐reviewed English articles published from inception to search date about attitudes, perceptions, or career preferences in psychiatry among medical students and physicians were included. Attitudes were analyzed descriptively, with special focus on the impact of psychiatry exposure and gender differences.
Results
The search identified 58 studies. Most studies ( n = 41) reported positive attitudes toward psychiatry, though career preference remained low. Exposure to psychiatry by clerkships, clinical rotations, or lectures improved attitudes and career preferences in 20 of 28 studies. Female students consistently showed more interest in psychiatry than male students. Attitudes became more favorable in recent studies. Despite improvements in perception, psychiatry remained one of the least preferred specialties, with career choice typically ranging from 5% to 25%.
Conclusions
Attitudes toward psychiatry among medical students and physicians in South Asia are generally positive; however, career preference remains low. Early and repeated psychiatry exposure, mentorship, and curricular reforms are recommended to increase recruitment.