Holland’s Theory Applied to Medical Specialty Choice

Abstract

The present study tested the hypothesis that medical specialties classified as technique oriented or patient oriented would be distinguished by RIASEC code, with technique-oriented specialists resembling Investigative-Realistic types and patientoriented specialists resembling Investigative-Social types. Using longitudinal data obtained from 447 college students who aspired to become physicians, the authors found that the predominant RIASEC code was the same in both groups of specialties, namely, Investigative-Social. The data suggested that most medical students could fit equally well in several different medical specialties. Thus, they should use Holland’s model to explore how well their personalities can be expressed in different specialties and practice environments, not use RIASEC codes to match themselves to particular specialties.