Are surgeons spunkier than non-surgeons?
BACKGROUND
Surgeons are known to be bolder than other members of the medical profession. Testosterone levels are known to be higher in aggressive men. We wondered whether the above two statements indicated that the spunkiness of surgeons was related to higher testosterone levels.


METHODS
Sixteen surgeons and 16 non-surgeons, all men, aged 32-59 years took part in a prospective study that assessed their testosterone levels.


RESULTS
There was no statistical difference between the testosterone levels of the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The reason for the gutsy behaviour of surgeons is not linked to their testosterone levels. Surgeons were disappointed to know this while non-surgeons were amused and a bit relieved.
Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Malleswaram, Bangalore, Karnataka, India - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
Sanjay A
SA
Pai
Sweta
S
Shivasanker
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013043:Specialties, Surgical; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone