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February 28, 2022 article Open access Aachen paper

Exploring the surgical personality

The Surgeon, vol. 21, pp. 1–7

DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2022.01.008 Full text (OA) OpenAlex

Abstract

Surgery is a demanding field, requiring determination and emotional stability. This review explores the surgical personality, addressing international personality differences between surgical and non-surgical specialties. Across the globe, surgically-interested individuals (i.e., medical students, residents, surgeons) generally scored higher on conscientiousness, open mindedness, and extraversion, and lower on neuroticism compared to non-surgically-interested contemporaries. Extraversion was inversely correlated to burnout in surgical residents and open mindedness to reduced competence in giving feedback. Although additional region- and/or country-specific research is warranted, being or becoming a surgeon appears to correlate to personality traits such as high conscientiousness and low neuroticism.

Authors 4

  1. Vincent Q. Sier Aachen Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: v.q.sier@lumc.nl

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands

  2. Roderick F. Schmitz

    Groene Hart Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Surgery, Groene Hart Hospital, 2800 BB, Gouda, the Netherlands. Electronic address: roderick.schmitz@ghz.nl

    Department of Surgery, Groene Hart Hospital, 2800 BB, Gouda, the Netherlands

  3. Abbey Schepers Aachen Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.schepers@lumc.nl

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands

  4. Joost R. van der Vorst corresponding Aachen Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: j.r.van_der_vorst@lumc.nl

    Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands

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References 40