Do students' personality traits change during medical training? A longitudinal cohort study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Medical schools utilize personality assessments for student selection.
• The impact of personality trait changes during medical training on assessment validity is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the stability of personality traits in medical students over a 6-year period.
• To assess the predictive validity of personality assessments throughout medical training.

Main Methods:

• Two cohorts of Swiss medical students (N=272) were studied.
• Big Five personality traits were measured thrice over 6 years.
• Data included demographics, aptitude test scores, and final exam results.

Main Results:

• Personality traits demonstrated medium-to-high rank-order stability (r > .60 over 3 years, r > .50 over 6 years).
• Moderate mean-level changes were observed for agreeableness, with small changes in neuroticism and conscientiousness.
• Predictive validity of personality assessments remained consistent throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Medical student personality traits are largely stable during undergraduate education and maintain predictive validity.
• This study supports the use of personality trait assessments in medical school admissions.
• Examination formats may inadvertently favor students with specific personality profiles.