Background: The increasing number of medical sciences graduates is one of the problems in society, and there are concerns among them about their fields and future careers. This study aims to review the attitude of Iranian health professions students toward their field of study and future careers.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, a search was conducted of online databases (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ERIC, SID, CIVILICA, and Google Scholar search engine) for relevant studies up to December 2023. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the STROBE checklist.
Results: A total of 27 studies were included (with 4805 individuals). The highest level of satisfaction with the field of study was related to dental and medical students, and the lowest interest was related to health and paramedical students (p<0.05). Among the health profession students, the environmental health and healthcare management students had the most negative attitude towards their field of study, and public health students had the most negative attitude towards their future career than other health students. There was a significant correlation between students' attitudes toward their field of study and their attitudes toward future careers (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Health professions students, especially environmental health and healthcare management students, had a negative attitude toward their field of study, and public health students had a negative attitude toward their future careers. Therefore, standard evaluations and proper planning should be carried out based on the future vision for the acceptance of these fields in universities, as well as empowering health profession students in entrepreneurship to create self-employment.