Relationships between surgical ability ratings and spatial abilities and personality.
Twenty-two trainee surgeons were tested on high level tests of intelligence, a detailed battery of paper-and-pencil and computerized spatial ability tests, and personality tests. They were also rated for operating ability, clinical decision-making ability, and for overall performance by consultant surgeons who knew them well. Ability ratings were high, indicating very little dissatisfaction with the performance of trainee surgeons. There were no significant correlations between surgical ability ratings and intelligence test scores. The only significant correlation between spatial ability and ability ratings was with one subtest, and was in the opposite direction to that expected. Trends in the data suggested that those trainees rated as superior tended to be more introverted and conscientious, and tended to have better stereoscopic depth perception. The discussion questions the necessity for aptitude testing in surgery and points out some statistical pitfalls in the area. It is concluded that little advance may be made with the application of aptitude testing in the selection of surgeons until there are more objective criteria of surgical ability in different surgical specialties.
Deary
I J
IJ
Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Graham
K S
KS
Maran
A G
AG
D000328:Adult; D001077:Aptitude Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D010556:Personality Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics