The Sorting Hat of Medicine: Why Hufflepuffs Wear Stethoscopes and Slytherins Carry Scalpels

Abstract

Introduction: Choosing a medical specialty is a complex decision comprised of a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can include economic status, personal interest, input from mentors, and personality traits. The fictional world of Harry Potter, a generational literary phenomenon, describes 4 distinct houses in the wizarding Hogwarts school; each valuing particular traits of mortality that correspond with personality types. As such, we hypothesized that with each medical specialty often attracting particular personalities, the percentage of residents who self-sorted into the different Hogwarts' houses would vary depending on their chosen specialty.

Methods: A web survey was sent out nationwide to surgical coordinators and residents, collecting demographic information and responses regarding specialty type and Hogwarts' house self-sorting.

Results: The survey was completed by 251 residents (49.4% from surgical specialties) with a 12.6% response rate of surgical coordinator dissemination and a 43.1% resident response rate at Carolinas Medical Center. Surgical specialties were found to have significantly fewer self-sorted Hufflepuffs (p = 0.002) and more Slytherins (p = 0.0061) than nonsurgical specialties. General surgery had significantly more Gryffindors (p = 0.04) and fewer Hufflepuffs (p = 0.0017) whereas orthopedic surgery had significantly more Slytherins (p = 0.0282). Pediatrics had significantly fewer Gryffindors (p = 0.0096) and more Hufflepuffs (p = 0.0006). Obstetrics and gynecology had significantly fewer Gryffindors (p = 0.0082) and the highest percentage of Ravenclaws when compared to all other specialties (35.3% vs 19.9%; p = 0.1344). Family medicine had no self-proclaimed Slytherins.

Conclusions: The discrepancies between specialties in the ratios of residents per Hogwarts house highlights that certain attributes may be more essential, advantageous, or complementary to a specific specialty. This information may guide medical students in choosing a satisfying and successful career path.

Keywords: Education; Harry potter; Medical student; Personality; Specialty; Surgery.