Volume 33, Issue 1 (Avicenna Journal of Clinical Medicine-Spring 2026)
Avicenna J Clin Med 2026, 33(1): 52-60 |
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Amiri J, Amiri E, Ghaleiha A, Sanaei Z. The Relationship between Personality Traits According to the Five-Factor Model and Preferred Clinical Specialty in Medical Interns. Avicenna J Clin Med 2026; 33 (1) :52-60
URL: http://sjh.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-3281-en.html
URL: http://sjh.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-3281-en.html
1- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2- School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,zahrasanaei58@yahoo.com
2- School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,
Abstract: (20 Views)
Background and Objective: Selecting a medical specialty represents one of the most significant career decisions for medical students and is shaped by multiple factors, including personality traits. Personality dimensions are known to influence both academic performance and long-term professional satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the association between these traits and specialty preferences among medical interns.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The study population comprised medical interns recruited through convenience sampling. Data collection tools included the short form of the NEO-FFI personality inventory and a demographic checklist. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 20) and included descriptive and analytical statistics, including chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests, with a significance level set at P < 0.05.
Results: Among the 347 students, 260 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean grade point average (GPA) was 15.63 (SD = 0.92) (In Iran, GPA is out of 20). The analysis revealed significant associations between personality traits and specialty preferences. Interns inclined toward surgical specialties demonstrated a higher level of openness to experience and conscientiousness, whereas those preferring internal medicine and diagnostic specialties exhibited higher neuroticism scores. The three most frequently cited reasons for specialty selection were work-related circumstances (23.1%), personal interest (19.6%), and amount of income (11.9%). Pathology emerged as the most preferred specialty (11.9%).
Conclusion: Although the use of convenience sampling in this study limits the generalizability of the finding to the broader medical student population. The results of the study suggest an association between psychiatric personality dimensions and medical specialty selection. Incorporating these traits into academic and career counseling may support more informed decision-making, enhance satisfaction, and ultimately improve professional outcomes.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The study population comprised medical interns recruited through convenience sampling. Data collection tools included the short form of the NEO-FFI personality inventory and a demographic checklist. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 20) and included descriptive and analytical statistics, including chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests, with a significance level set at P < 0.05.
Results: Among the 347 students, 260 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean grade point average (GPA) was 15.63 (SD = 0.92) (In Iran, GPA is out of 20). The analysis revealed significant associations between personality traits and specialty preferences. Interns inclined toward surgical specialties demonstrated a higher level of openness to experience and conscientiousness, whereas those preferring internal medicine and diagnostic specialties exhibited higher neuroticism scores. The three most frequently cited reasons for specialty selection were work-related circumstances (23.1%), personal interest (19.6%), and amount of income (11.9%). Pathology emerged as the most preferred specialty (11.9%).
Conclusion: Although the use of convenience sampling in this study limits the generalizability of the finding to the broader medical student population. The results of the study suggest an association between psychiatric personality dimensions and medical specialty selection. Incorporating these traits into academic and career counseling may support more informed decision-making, enhance satisfaction, and ultimately improve professional outcomes.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Psychiatry
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