Abstract:
Personality traits are considered as one of the primary influences of a
person, along with the environment he/she is accustomed to. This study aimed to know
the factors and reasons that made Filipino physicians choose their field of medical
specialization. In particular, it sought to assess their psychological profile and compare
their personality traits according to sex and medical specialties. Two hundred and thirty
three doctors working in different hospitals and clinics in Metro Manila and Rizal
participated in this study. They were asked to answer a survey questionnaire which
consisted of basic socio-demographic information, medical education and training
background, reasons that made them choose their specialties, and the Edwards
Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) personality test. The results showed that selfinterest
was their main reason in choosing their respective specialties. It was also found
that male doctors are high in terms of traits that are able to maintain social relationships.
Female doctors, on the other hand, were found to be high in traits that are related to
choice and power. Significant differences were also found among doctors of different
medical specialties. For example, Pediatricians were found to be high in deference and
dominance, while Dermatologists were high in order and aggression. In conclusion, the
factors that can affect the choice of medical specialization by Filipino doctors include
their self-interest as their motivation, their environment as their contextual influence, and
their personalities as their behavioural predictors. The decisions that they make in
accordance to their choice of specialty are the results of the interaction between the
three factors aforementioned.
