Variation in personality traits of medical students between schools of medicine

Ian WilsonUniversity of Wollongong, Australia; IAN WILSON, FRACGP, MAssess&Eval, PhD, is a Professor of Medical Education and Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong. His research interests are student selection and student development.Correspondence[email protected]

Barbara GriffinMacquarie University, Australia; BARBARA GRIFFIN, B. Psych (Hons), PhD, MAPS, is an Associate Professor in Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University. Her research interests include selection, workplace incivility and late-career adjustment.

Lisa LampeUniversity of Sydney, Australia; LISA LAMPE, FRANZCP, is a psychiatrist and senior lecturer in the Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, with roles encompassing coordination, assessment and clinical teaching. Research interests include career choice in medicine, diagnostic decision-making, student welfare and the influence of personality in these fields; and practice and teaching around anxiety disorders.

Diann EleyThe University of Queensland, Australia; DIANN ELEY, MSc, PhD, is an Associate Professor and MBBS Research Coordinator in the School of Medicine at The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia. Her research interests focus on medical education, rural health and workforce, and personality associated with medical specialities and career choice.

Gerry CorriganAustralian National University, Australia; GERRY CORRIGAN, BA, DipEd, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Medical Education at ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. His research interests are first year transition in medical students, flexible learning environments and developing self-regulated learning skills in medical students.

Brian KellyUniversity of Newcastle, Australia; BRIAN KELLY, PhD, FRANZCP, FAChPM, is a Professor of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle; with an interest in medical student selection and professional development.

Pamela StaggFlinders University, Australia; PAMELA STAGG, is a Lecturer in Rural Medical Education at Flinders University Rural Clinical School. Pamela has a long history research and evaluation of medical education programs. Pamela is currently undertaking her PhD focused on understanding the ways in which students are influenced by preceptors and patients in making career choices.

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Abstract

Introduction: While there have been studies exploring the impact of personality on medical student selection and performance there has not been an investigation of the personality of students at different schools.

Method: Demographic data and responses to the NEO measure of personality traits were collected from medical students in the first two weeks of their enrolment (2011) in seven medical schools in Australia. Personality traits were analysed by school features, gender and age using logistic regression.

Results: Differences were detected between schools in the personality traits of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Higher Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were associated with attending an Undergraduate school (OR = 1.07 and 1.03, respectively) and a rural or community focussed school (1.06 and 1.03). Students attending a school that used interviews for selection had higher levels of Agreeableness (1.04) and lower levels of Neuroticism (0.96).

Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate that personality traits differ between students entering different medical schools. While there seems to be logic behind some differences, others are perplexing. Further research should expand on these findings and the implications to schools in regards to attracting students through selection processes, mission statements and their broader social focus.

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