Unlike general practitioners, most hospital doctors do not use their car for work. Choice may therefore reflect individual character and aspirations. Although influenced by income and lifestyle, the ultimate decision may be determined by other less practical factors. At all price levels, some cars are more charismatic than others; the cost of this charisma is usually practicality. We have tested whether the 1960s stereotype of the dashing surgeon in a convertible sports car still exists. An extensive literature search drew a blank.
Methods, analysis, and results
An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 400 hospital doctors in three teaching hospitals in England and Wales in summer 1999. Respondents indicated their sex, grade, and specialty, and details of their main car: engine size, age (if more than 11 years, vintage or old banger), number of doors, and whether turbo charged, fuel injected, or soft topped. Anonymity ensured that specific cars could not be identified in the hospital car park. Make and model were not analysed owing to the diversity of cars now available. Although it was not asked about, many volunteered information about bicycles, rollerblades, etc.
The “charisma score” of a car represents a useful comparative tool, independent of absolute cost, make and model. Although age and engine size are important, turbocharging, two doors, and a soft top are particularly potent. The “charisma score” was calculated by multiplying engine size (litres) by age factor and the weighting factors. Age was graded as 0-2 years (4 points), 3-5 years (3 points), 6-10 years (2 points), >11 years (1 point) except vintage (10 points). Weighting factors were 5 for a soft top, 3 for turbo charged, 3 for two doors, 2 for fuel injection. Hatchback doors were not counted, and a sunroof does not equate to a soft top.
Confounding factors included diesel cars (large engine size, often turbocharged) and small cars with only two doors. However, these cars did not score highly in other areas.
A total of 221 questionnaires, representing all grades, were analysable (preregistration house officers, 25; senior house officers, 46; specialist registrar year 1-3, 28; specialist registrar year 4+, 36; consultants year 1-5, 30; consultants year 6+, 56; response rate 55%). Most specialties were represented: medicine, 100; surgery, 89; psychiatry, 8; laboratory based, 13; other, 11. Only 54 (24%) replies were from women—this was disappointing, as it is unrepresentative; however, a greater proportion of women volunteered the car colour.
The mean charisma score for each grade (figure) and specialty (table) was calculated. Senior house officers scored highest (mean 57.7 points) and preregistration house officers lowest (16.1). The “top 20” (>96 points) were driven by 3 women and 17 men, comprising 7 senior house officers, 6 registrars, and 7 consultants (no preregistration house officers). All specialties were fairly represented: 8 surgeons, 8 physicians, 4 others.
The “bottom 20” (<2.6 points) were also driven by 3 women and 17 men. There were three preregistration house officers, three senior house officers, seven registrars, and seven consultants. There were proportionally more physicians than expected (14 physicians, 2 surgeons, 4 others).
Comment
Preregistration house officers drive the least charismatic cars and senior house officers the most charismatic. Newly qualified doctors may be paying off student debts. On becoming a senior house officer, a doctor has increased disposable income—now is the time to buy the dream car. With progress up the ranks, domestic pressures and responsibilities kick in, and financial constraints return. It seems that however much you earn, you are never as free as when you are a senior house officer. Physicians drive the least charismatic cars, perhaps through lower peer pressure. There were proportionally fewer women in the top 20 and in the bottom 20, suggesting that although women do not buy particularly charismatic cars they will not tolerate an old heap either.
This survey confirms that stereotypes are alive and flourishing as we approach the new millennium. The question is, does car dictate specialty, or does specialty dictate car? We will leave this for our psychiatric colleagues; whether you pick a Porsche driver or a Skoda driver is up to you.
Figure.
Mean car charisma score according to grade of doctor
Table.
Mean charisma score by specialty
| Specialty | Mean charisma score |
|---|---|
| Medicine | 26.4 |
| Laboratory based | 31.0 |
| Surgery | 34.0 |
| Psychiatry | 33.8 |
| Other* | 33.3 |
All other specialties (including radiology).
Figure.
MALCOLM WILLETT
What is the charisma score of your car, and what does it mean?
Acknowledgments
Dr F H Adenwalla (SpR geriatric medicine, Cardiff) kindly helped with the distribution of questionnaires.
Footnotes
Competing interests: REM drives an old grey Mazda 1.6 Exec, CFK drives a sporty little number, DBR drives his mother's F-reg Renault, and FJC has a zone 3 underground pass.
Funding: None.