Personality and Medical Specialty Choice: Technique Orientation versus People Orientation

Abstract The present study investigated a conceptual framework for relating medical specialty choice to personality. The model was tested by examining personality differences among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practice physicians. The 16 Personality Factor questionnaire was administered to 161 physicians (52 general surgeons, 51 anesthesiologists, and 58 family practitioners). Significant differences between group means for medical specialty groups existed for three personality factors and one global factor: Rule-Consciousness, Abstractedness, Vigilance, and Tough-Mindedness. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed that, of the 16 personality factors, Rule-Consciousness and Abstractedness had the greatest power to discriminate among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practitioners. The global factor of Tough-Mindedness had the greatest power to discriminate among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practitioners. These findings coincided with using differences between person-orientation and technique-orientation to map medical specialties.

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