Tolerance of uncertainty, extroversion, neuroticism and attitudes to randomized controlled trials among surgeons and physicians.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Surgeons have a reputation for decisiveness and self-confidence, which suggests that they may tolerate uncertainty poorly and therefore be less capable than other doctors of experiencing clinical equipoise. Their 'typical' behaviour is characteristic of the stable extrovert personality and so they may prefer spontaneous clinical judgement over randomized trials. The aim of this study was to compare personality dimensions and tolerance of uncertainty among surgeons and hospital phy...

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Authors: McCulloch, P; Kaul, A; Wagstaff, G; Wheatcroft, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: British journal of surgery
• Volume: 92
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1293-1297
• Publication date: 2005-10-01
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.4930
• EISSN: 1365-2168
• ISSN: 0007-1323
• Language: English
• Keywords: Questionnaires; Female; Middle Aged; Prejudice; Male; Psychometrics; General Surgery; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Humans; Attitude of Health Personnel; Personality