Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry (생물정신의학)

The Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry (대한생물정신의학회)
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Effects of Temperament and Character on the Specialty Interests of Medical Students

기질 및 성격 특성이 의과대학 학생의 관심 전공 선택에 미치는 영향

  • Kim, In Hyang (Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ko, Eun (Interdisciplinary Program in Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Humanities) ;
  • Kim, Eun Jung (Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Ban, Soon Hyun (Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Jung, Jiyoung J. (Department of Psychiatry, Renaiss Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Sun Hea (Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital) ;
  • Lyoo, In Kyoon (Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Junghyun H. (Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
  • 김인향 (서울대학교 의과대학 정신과학교실) ;
  • 고은 (서울대학교 인문대학 인지과학협동과정) ;
  • 김은정 (이화여자대학교 뇌인지과학과) ;
  • 반순현 (이화여자대학교 뇌인지과학과) ;
  • 정지영 (르네스 병원 정신건강의학과) ;
  • 이선혜 (서울대학교병원 의생명연구원) ;
  • 류인균 (서울대학교 의과대학 정신과학교실) ;
  • 이정현 (서울대학교 의과대학 정신과학교실)
  • Received : 2012.08.27
  • Accepted : 2012.09.07
  • Published : 2012.11.30
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Abstract

Objectives In the previous studies, it has been suggested that temperament and character may affect specialty choice in medical students. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of temperament and character on specialty interests in medical students. Methods A total 132 third-year medical students initially participated in this study. Among these participants, 128 students had filled out both demographic and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) questionnaires. Socio-demographic data, specialty interests and Cloninger's TCI scores were obtained. The specialty interests were categorized into surgical, medical and other departments. Results Among 128 students, 88 (68.7%), 29 (22.7%) and 22 (8.6%) students chose medical, surgical and other departments, respectively. Students choosing surgery departments showed lower Harm Avoidance scores (F = 4.39, df = 1, p = 0.04) and higher Self-Directedness scores (F = 4.30, df = 1, p = 0.04) than those who chose medical departments. There was no significant differences in Novelty Seeking, Reward dependence, Persistence, Cooperativeness, Self-Transcendence scores between groups. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has demonstrated the relationship between TCI scores and specialty interests of medical students in Korea. The current study suggests that temperament and character influence specialty interests in medical students. These findings could have implications for medical education research and career counseling.

Keywords

References

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