Factors Influencing Pakistani Students’ Career Choice in Physiotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Factors Influencing Pakistani Students’ Career Choice in Physiotherapy: A Cross-Sectional StudyBackground: Limited research explores factors influencing physiotherapy career choices in developing countries like Pakistan, despite workforce shortages. This study identifies psychosocial and socio-economic factors driving Pakistani students’ decisions to pursue physiotherapy and examines gender differences.Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 60 physiotherapy students (53% male, 47% female, mean age 25) at Khyber Medical University using a 12-item questionnaire. Participants rated factors’ importance in career choice. Descriptive statistics and t-tests analyzed data.Results: Top factors included pre-medical marks (68% rated very important), job opportunities (67%), and desire to help others (58%). Prior physiotherapy exposure (90%) and desire to be a physiotherapist (71%) were rated not important. No significant gender differences were found (p>0.05).Conclusions: Academic performance and job availability drive physiotherapy career choices in Pakistan, suggesting targeted recruitment strategies.Keywords: Career choice, physiotherapy, Pakistan, gender differences, psychosocial factors.