Gender differences in medical graduates' assessment of their personal attributes

Abstract

As part of the planning process for a new undergraduate curriculum for King's, a profile of the type of doctor which the Medical School wishes to produce was defined. To investigate, in a sample of medical graduates, their perceptions of the personal attributes they had developed by the time of qualification which the Curriculum Steering Group had identified as being 'desirable' in a doctor. Five cohorts of doctors who had qualified from the King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry between 1985/86 and 1989/90 (n = 478). Postal questionnaire survey. 371 replied, a response rate of 78%. In most cases the respondents felt they had acquired the attributes at least partially, by qualification. Gender differences in responses were found for nine of the sixteen attributes. The men felt better equipped with 'leadership potential', 'spirit of curiosity', 'tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty' compared to the women who felt more confident in their 'ability to inspire confidence in others', 'ability to listen', 'ability to work in a team', 'caring and compassionate nature', 'motivation' and 'satisfactory at interpersonal relationships in professional life'. There were no significant differences for 'ability to recognize own limitations and strengths', 'capacity for self-audit', 'excitement with the subject of medicine', 'open-mindedness' and 'perseverance'. Most graduates agreed these attributes were 'desirable' in a doctor, the women feeling more strongly than the men about 'open-mindedness'. The findings are consistent with current theories which relate to personality differences between men and women and socialization during early upbringing.