Factors Affecting the Choice of Specialty by Filipino Doctors

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.