Personality and Interest in General Practice: Results from an Online Survey among Medical Students.

Abstract Background The growing shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) is a European-wide challenge, especially in rural areas. Facing this problem in Germany, funding programmes and voluntary courses during medical studies aim to enhance students’ interest in general practice. To further increase the number of GPs, medical training should support students in making career choices that suit them as a person. Can taking students’ personality traits into account add value to this? Objectives We hypothesise that students pursuing a career in general practice show outlined manifestations of personality traits that influence their interest. Methods In March 2021, we started an ongoing online survey among medical students at the University of Würzburg aiming to collect longitudinal data about the ‘Big Five’ personality traits and aspects of career choice. Until December 2022, we invited three cohorts of first-year beginners and one cohort each of third-, fifth- and sixth-year students via email to participate in line with data protection guidelines. We performed partial correlation and ANCOVA analyses to examine the relationship between students’ interests in general practice and their personality traits, controlling for gender and age as possible confounding factors. Results According to our research, the personality traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness were the most significant factors that impacted students' decision to pursue general practice as a specialty. There was a significant positive correlation for agreeableness ( r =.18, p <.001) and a negative correlation with conscientiousness ( r =-.11, p =.03), while the results for openness ( r =-.05, p =.35), extraversion ( r =.076, p =.14), and neuroticism ( r =.077, p =.059) were not significant. High extents of agreeableness and low extents of conscientiousness could predict a greater interest in General Practice. Female students scored higher than males on all personality traits. Most interest in choosing General Practice as a specialty was stated by female students with high extents of agreeableness. Conclusion This study shows a link between students’ interest in becoming a GP and their personality. The curriculum ought to offer opportunities for students to develop their personalities and prepare for their professional careers. Considering personality can also help to support students in their career choices and to identify promising students for programs promoting the next generation of GPs.