Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
Mohammed Al Alawi
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother
Introduction: Understanding factors that determine the choice of a specialty among junior doctors are crucial for career counseling and candidates� selection. Most studies focused on working hours, income and other lifestyle factors. However, there are few studies exploring the role of personality traits of the doctors in influencing specialty choice. Aim: To study the relation between personality traits and specialty choice among residents at Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). Methodology: Residents from different specialties were invited to participate in this study by completing Eysenck Personality Questionnaire�Revised (EPQ-R) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale. Results: A total of 255 residents were participated in the study (M=40%, F=60%). Surgical residents scored significantly higher on the psychotism subscale (P-value, 0.002) and the BAS scale compared to nonsurgical residents (P-value, 0.05). On the other hand, medical residents scored higher in BIS subscale suggesting tendency towards avoidance of anxiety provoking situation (p=0.023). With regard to neuroticism trait, psychiatrists had the lowest score indicating more emotional stability. Residents from diagnostic specialties scored highest in BAS�fun seeking subscale, with a difference reaching the level of statistical significance. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a correlation between career choice and personality traits. Therefore, adapting a well-constructed, effective and standardized selection approach is of great importance. A reasonable framework for conceptualizing specialty choice would be recognizing one�s own personality traits along with exploring social and technical factors related to a particular specialty.
Mohammed Al Alawi is a Senior House Officer/Clinical Lecturer and motivated Psychiatrist with interest in research related to stigma, personality and career choices. Currently, he is working at Sultan Qaboos University, Department of Behavioral Medicine as SHO/CL . He is interested in “Community psychiatry and stigma related to mental illness”. He has nine publications and presented three papers at international conferences. At present, he is heading a mental health awareness campaign in Oman to increase public understanding of mental illness.