Objective Personality Determination: A Useful Addition to the Traditional Process of Pediatric Surgical Fellow Selection

Abstract

Background: Selection of pediatric surgical trainees is a multifaceted process heavily influenced by in-person interviews to determine personality makeup and institutional compatibility. We present our experience in utilizing a validated personality inventory in the selection of our candidates. Methods: All applicants selected for an in-person interview for the 2020 Pediatric Surgery Match were offered the Big Five Inventory (BFI) questionnaire. An initial rank order list (ROL) was formulated employing application information and in-person interview score. A reformulated ROL was created after incorporating BFI data. Correlation of specific personality characteristics vs position on the ROL was assessed for both the initial ROL and the reformulated ROL. Results: Thirty-four applicants were interviewed and 24 (70.6%) were ranked. Linear regression analysis identified a lower neuroticism score directly related to a higher position on the initial ROL {R =.4626, P =.023}. The reformulated ROL identified a higher conscientiousness score {R =.5331; P =.007} and a lower neuroticism score {R = −.4383; P =.032} correlated with ascending the final ROL. Conclusions: The self-administered BFI adds objectivity to personality determination gleamed from the standard face-to-face interview. Conscientiousness and neuroticism had a significant impact on the final ROL position. Adding objective personality data appears to provide additional aid in this difficult process.