Exploring temperament and character traits in medical students; a new approach to increase the rural workforce.
BACKGROUND
This study explored temperament and character traits in medical students to identify the possible predictive value of these traits to students with varying levels of intention to pursue rural medicine. This work is the precursor to a better understanding of personality traits associated with medical disciplines within specific environments such as rural medicine.


OBJECTIVE
The long term aim is to increase the recruitment of students who are best suited, and choose to practice in rural locations.


METHODS
Medical students (272) completed a demographic survey and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R 140) to identify levels of the seven basic dimensions of temperament and character. Multivariate statistics explored differences between students' TCI levels based on gender, rural origin and level of intention to pursue rural medicine.


RESULTS
Analysis showed only main effects and confirmed significant differences in certain TCI dimensions between students with a high compared to a low or medium intention to practice rural medicine and between males and females.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary findings suggest that certain temperament and character traits may be related to interest in rural medicine however the efficacy of assessing personality traits as an adjunct to medical school training and career counselling remains uncertain.
Eley
Diann
D
The University of Queensland, Australia. d.eley@uq.edu.au
Young
Louise
L
Przybeck
Thomas R
TR
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012424:Rural Population; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult