Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study

Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study

Authors

  • Javeria Usman Department of Surgery, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore
  • Rehan Ahmed Khan Riphah International University, Islamabad
  • Raheela Yasmeen Riphah International University, Islamabad
  • Khadijah Mukhtar Department of Medical Education, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v30i1.5446

Keywords:

Personality assessment, stakeholders’ views, medical schools, admission standards.

Abstract

Background: Joining the health care force as a doctor is a dream that flourishes in the minds of majority of youngsters in Pakistan, making the admission process highly competitive. Currently, our admission criteria only caters the knowledge domain of the applicants while research argues that personality of the candidates should also be considered when selecting the cream of the nation for one of the most critical profession of medicine.

Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate stakeholders’ perspectives on the incorporation of personality assessment as a component of the admission requirements for medical colleges in Pakistan.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using a multi-center approach, where participants from three different stakeholder groups involved in medical college admissions in Pakistan (Governing body members, experienced academic staff, and medical scholars) were interviewed. The analysis method used was thematic analysis.

Results: The stakeholders reached a consensus that the current admission criteria need to be revised, although opinions were varied regarding the inclusion of personality assessment in the admission process. The stakeholders identified conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience as the key personality features to be evaluated for medical college admissions, in descending order of importance.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the need to revise and expand the existing admission criteria, while also revealing a diversified feedback to the proposal of introducing personality appraisal as part of the medical college admission standards as they may pose significant obstacles.

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Published

03/25/2024

How to Cite

Usman, J., Khan, R. A., Yasmeen, R., & Mukhtar, K. (2024). Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 30(1), 76–84. https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v30i1.5446

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Section

Research Articles

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