Types of family practice teachers and residents: a comparative study

A study of personality types using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was performed on family practice teachers and residents. The combined group was found to be different from the general medical population. There was a larger percentage of persons who tended to be practical, realistic, present-oriented, organized, and able to deal effectively with factual information. The majority were persons who enjoy seeing immediate results of actions and can made decisions quickly and effectively using whatever information is available. These personality types are similar to those found in the older field of general practice. The residents and faculty were similar in the above respects but a higher percentage of the residents tended to make judgments using impersonal logic and a factual basis for reaching decisions. The faculty, however, had a significantly higher percentage of types who make judgments by considering human values and understanding of people.