Big Five Personality Traits Across the Surgical Career Spectrum: A Cross-Sectional Study of Surgically Oriented Individuals in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION

The "surgical personality" describes a constellation of traits considered advantageous in high-stakes operative environments. Although Western studies suggest that surgeons exhibit higher conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion, with lower neuroticism, data from Asian populations remain limited. Moreover, whether these traits are innate or shaped through surgical training is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To compare personality traits across different stages of a surgical career in Malaysia, examine sex-related differences, and explore the potential mutability of the surgical personality.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2024 involving Malaysian surgeons, surgical trainees, junior doctors, and surgically interested medical students. Participants were recruited from public hospitals and four university-based Master of General Surgery programs. Personality was assessed using the 60-item Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2). Domain and facet scores were compared using ANOVA with post hoc Tukey testing. Independent t-tests assessed sex differences. Ethics approval was obtained from the Universiti Malaya Research Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

A total of 245 participants were included: 62 surgeons, 71 trainees, 53 junior doctors, and 59 medical students. Conscientiousness was the only domain differing significantly between groups (p = 0.01), with surgeons scoring higher than trainees and students. Significant facet-level differences were observed in energy level, productiveness, and responsibility, predominantly favoring surgeons. Female participants, particularly students and surgeons, demonstrated higher neuroticism scores, driven by anxiety and emotional volatility. Overall personality patterns across the groups were largely similar.

CONCLUSION

Surgically oriented individuals in Malaysia share broadly similar personality profiles across career stages, suggesting an underlying predisposition. However, increasing conscientiousness with seniority may reflect training effects. Personality assessment may inform surgical selection, training strategies, and burnout prevention initiatives.