Motivations, satisfaction, and career aspirations of undergraduate medical students in West Bank, Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Palestinian medical students demonstrate strong intrinsic motivation, particularly a commitment to patient care and community service. Despite systemic challenges, the high levels of satisfaction with their career choice, coupled with aspirations to specialize abroad and return home, highlight both opportunities and risks for workforce planning. Policy implications include establishing partnerships with international training institutions, offering government incentives for returning specialists, and expanding local residency programs to reduce dependency on external training opportunities. These findings also carry broader relevance when compared with students in other conflict-affected regions, emphasizing the need for targeted educational and workforce strategies in resource-constrained settings.