A survey of career choices was conducted for two batches of physicians applying for a medical speciality course in Malaysian medical schools. There were a total of 952 applications, with 477 males and 475 females. Surgery ranked highest, followed by obstetrics and gynaecology, fanlily medicine and orthopaedic surgery. The minor specialities of otorhinolaryngology, psychiatry and pathology were the least popular choices. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 250 physicians in each batch to note factors affecting their choices of speciality. A total of 359 physicians responded, giving a response rate of 71.8%. Fixed hours of work and the ability to have direct contact with patients were relatively important factors for choice of speciality. Working as a clinical consultant was the nlost popular nature of employment while worliing in the health office, service consultant in a public hospital, a non-clinical lecturer in a university hospital and working in a private clinic were less popular choices for these physicians. KEYWORDS: Career choice; medical speciality; doctors; Malaysia.