Swiss residents' speciality choices – impact of gender, personality traits, career motivation and life goals
2006

Swiss Residents' Speciality Choices: The Impact of Gender and Personality

Sample size: 522 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Buddeberg-Fischer Barbara, Klaghofer Richard, Abel Thomas, Buddeberg Claus

Primary Institution: Zurich University Hospital

Hypothesis

Gender and personality traits have an impact on speciality choice, and career motivation as well as life goals influence this choice.

Conclusion

Gender had the greatest impact on speciality and career choice, with career motivation and life goals also playing significant roles.

Supporting Evidence

  • 84.1% of participants had made their speciality choice by the fourth year of residency.
  • Female residents tended to choose gynaecology, paediatrics, and anaesthesiology, while males preferred surgical specialities.
  • Career motivation and life goals mediated the influence of personality on career choice.

Takeaway

This study looked at how things like being male or female and what you want in life can change what kind of doctor you want to be.

Methodology

A prospective cohort study involving 522 fourth-year residents who assessed their speciality choices, career motivations, and life goals.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in self-reported data regarding career motivations and life goals.

Limitations

The study may not generalize to all medical graduates as it focuses on Swiss residents.

Participant Demographics

281 females (53.8%) and 241 males (46.2%), mean age 31.3 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-6-137

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