The big five personality traits of medical students who choose community medicine career

Abstract

Background Personality traits may play a role in the likelihood of success in training and careers. If the characteristics of community medicine-oriented personalities can be identified, mismatches in the Regional Quota Program (RQP) on admission to medical school can be reduced.Methods This study analyzed the personality tendencies of community medicine-oriented students. All medical students (n = 750 of a medical school in Japan, who were selected into the RQP, RQP Without Loan [RQPWL], or standard program) were asked to complete the validated psychometric questionnaire to investigate the five major personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association between personality traits and willingness to engage in community healthcare. We also assessed the association between personality traits and admissions programs.Results In total, 601 students completed the questionnaire. The RQPWL was associated with year (odds ratio [OR] 0.77), gender (OR 2.94), and extraversion (OR 0.91). The RQP was associated with gender (OR 1.76), extraversion (OR 0.91), and conscientiousness (OR 1.05). There were differences in the willingness to engage in community healthcare with respect to gender (OR 1.35), admission programs (OR 15.19 for the RQPWL, OR 31.85 for the RQP), extraversion (OR 0.90), openness to experience (OR 1.06), and agreeableness (OR 1.08).Conclusion Female students tended to be willing to engage in community medicine, and gender diversity can improve medical staff recruitment in rural areas. Fundamental differences were observed between the RQP and community medicine-oriented groups, demonstrating that the RQP may not adequately select students who want to engage in community medicine. A solution can be found by adjusting admissions to accept applicants with lower extraversion scores and enhancing openness to experience and agreeableness by providing cooperative learning education in medical schools.