title: The influence of surgeon personality factors on risk tolerance: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study attempts to assess the association between surgeon personality factors (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory (MBTI(®))) and risk tolerance (measured by the Revised Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty (PRU) and Physician Risk Attitude (PRA) scales).
  
  
  METHODS
  Instrument assessing surgeon personality profile (MBTI) and 2 questionnaires measuring surgeon risk tolerance and risk aversion (PRU and PRA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Saint Raphael campus of Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty categorical surgery residents and 7 surgical core faculty members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following findings suggest there might be a relationship between surgeon personality factors and risk tolerance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In certain areas of risk assessment, it appears that surgeons with personality factors E (Extravert), T (Thinking), and P (Perception) demonstrated higher tolerance for risk. Conversely, as MBTI(®) dichotomies are complementary, surgeons with personality factors I (Introvert), F (Feeling), and J (Judgment) suggest risk aversion on these same measures. These findings are supported by at least 2 studies outside medicine demonstrating that personality factors E, N, T, and P are associated with risk taking. This preliminary research project represents an initial step in exploring what may be considered a fundamental component in a "successful" surgical personality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael Campus, New Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: jack.contessa@ynhh.org.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Contessa
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: Tassos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kyriakides
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nadzam
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Systems-Based Practice; physician reaction to uncertainty; risk aversion; risk tolerance