Is a veterinary student’s performance on multiple-mini interviews affected by personality preferences?

Abstract

Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between a student's Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) preference pairs and resulting types and his or her multiple-mini interview (MMI) scores upon admission, and to determine the proportions of types among veterinary classes over five years. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted for data collected from 706 students admitted into the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (UCDSVM) program beginning in the fall of 2013 and ending in the fall of 2018. Data consisted of a candidate's MBTI preference pairs and types which were collected during the first week of enrollment and multiple-mini interview scores from his or her admission data. Results A total of 706 students from 5 classes completed the MBTI survey. Multivariate analysis showed no significant association between the MBTI preference pairs of extroversion and introversion (F( 1, 697) = 3.30, p=0.0959), sensing and intuition (F (1, 697) = 0.40, p=0.4395), thinking and feeling (F (1, 697) = 3.59, p=0.0591), or judging and perceiving (F (1, 697) = 0.38, p = 0.5657) and MMI score. Analysis showed no trends (χ 2 (60, N=706) =76.51, p=0.074) in the student's MBTI types over the 5-year period. Conclusions The MMI score of a candidate admitted into the UCDSVM is unlikely to be affected by personality preferences. Therefore, it is unlikely that multiple-mini interview scores included in the admission process will affect the personality diversity of candidates admitted into a veterinary class.

The Myers–Briggs Personality Types of Veterinary Students and Their Animal Ethical Profiles in Comparison to Criminal Justice Students in Slovenia

“…However, in earlier years (from 1996 to 2003), other patterns were observed (ESTF and ISTF) which dominated at veterinary schools. Our results are, to some extent, similar to those of Johnson et al [16]. In the veterinary context, ISTJ is considered to be a task-oriented personality, held by people who carefully weigh information before making decisions and who are decisive, reliable, conscientious, and maintain a no-nonsense and logical communication style.…”

“…In Johnson et al [16], the differences were associated to some extent with gender differences. Thinking preference predominated in males at veterinary school, and feeling preference predominated in females.…”

“…Important skills for future veterinarians include decision-making skills, communication skills, and attitudes toward ethical and social scenarios of the profession. In a study by Johnson et al [16], the ESTJ-ISTJ profile was presented for such individuals. In this study, the major personality types among veterinary students were ESTJ (11.5%), ESFJ (11.1%), and ISTJ (10.3%), whereas, at the same time, the national personality types were ISFJ (13.8%), ESFJ (12.3%), ISTJ (11.6%), and ISFP (8.8%).…”