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Phenotypic differences between male physicians, surgeons, and film stars: comparative study
Antoni Trilla1, Marta Aymerich, Antonio M Lacy
1Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. atrilla@clinic.ub.es
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|December 23, 2006
Summary
Male surgeons are taller and more attractive than male physicians. However, film stars portraying doctors are considered more attractive than both surgeon and physician groups.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Comparative anatomy
- Sociology
Background:
- Previous studies have explored physical characteristics of medical professionals.
- The perceived attractiveness of physicians may influence patient-doctor relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if male surgeons are taller and more attractive than male physicians.
- To compare the physical attributes of doctors with actors who play doctors on screen.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted at a university hospital in Spain.
- 12 surgeons and 12 physicians were randomly sampled, along with 4 male film stars as controls.
- An independent female committee assessed attractiveness using a 1-7 score; height was also measured.
Main Results:
- Male surgeons were significantly taller than male physicians (179.4 cm vs. 172.6 cm).
- Film stars received significantly higher attractiveness scores than both surgeons (5.96 vs. 4.39) and physicians (5.96 vs. 3.65).
- Surgeons were rated as significantly more attractive than physicians (4.39 vs. 3.65).
Conclusions:
- Male surgeons exhibit greater height and attractiveness compared to male physicians.
- Actors portraying doctors on screen are perceived as more attractive than actual surgeons and physicians.
- The origins of these observed phenotypic differences (genetic vs. environmental) remain undetermined.
