Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if personality differences exist among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practice physicians. The 16 Personality Factor (16PF) questionnaire was used to describe the personality factors of general surgery, anesthesiology, and family medical specialties. A total of 161 physicians participated in the study. The sample consisted of 52 general surgeons, 51 anesthesiologists, and 58 family practice physicians. A stepwise discriminant analysis was used to analyze the data to determine whether general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practice physicians could be differentiated by a set of 16 personality factors and five global factors of the 16PF. Significant differences among group means for medical specialty groups existed for three personality factors and one global factor: Rule-Consciousness, Abstractedness, Vigilance, and Tough-Mindedness. Family practice physicians were significantly different from general surgeons and anesthesiologists regarding the personality factors of Rule-Consciousness and Abstractedness. Anesthesiologists were significantly different from general surgeons and family practice physicians on the personality factor of Vigilance, while general surgeons were significantly different from anesthesiologists and family practice physicians regarding the global factor of Tough-Mindedness. Of the 16 personality factors, Rule-Consciousness and Abstractedness had the greatest power to discriminate among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practice physicians. Of the global factors, the Tough-Mindedness variable had the greatest power to discriminate among general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and family practice physicians.

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