Is the duration of surgical experience associated with a diverse range of individual personality traits?

Surgery, a field marked by constant advancements in technique, calls for specific personality traits. The improvement of skills requires lifelong motivation, critical thinking and openness to new technologies. However, it remains unclear whether there is an association between the expression of personality traits such as motivation or critical thinking, and the duration of work experience.

We conducted telephone interviews with 40 experienced surgeons who had previously participated in proctoring sessions. The interviews were focused on their training experience and personality traits, especially critical faculties, achievement motivation and assertiveness, in relation to the duration of their work experience. Additionally, we interviewed 40 non-surgical physicians in order to explore potential fundamental differences between surgeons and non-surgeons.

Longer professional experience was significantly associated with a reduced ability to accept criticism ( P = 0.046), lower performance motivation ( P = 0.04), and greater assertiveness ( P = 0.044). Surgeons, particularly chief physicians, demonstrated significantly higher levels of assertiveness and performance motivation compared to their non-surgical medical counterparts ( P = 0.005 and P = 0.009, respectively).

Understanding the personalities of surgeons, particularly chief physicians, who appear to demonstrate lower levels of critical faculties, may help in designing and adapting training programs for the implementation of new surgical methods.