The Imperative for Identifying Personality Traits in Healthcare Professionals, Allied Healthcare Professionals, and First Responders: A Profiling Perspective

There exists notable neglect in research of identifying imperatives for personality traits and profiling assessment in <i>Healthcare professionals</i> (<i>HCPs</i>), <i>Allied Healthcare Professionals</i> (<i>AHPs</i>), and <i>First Responders</i>. A large scoping review of 133 studies, which included numerous assessment tools, was undertaken- via a <i>JBI</i> approach- to investigate if there is an imperative for identifying personality traits in these population groups. Investigation of personality assessment and profiling in the realm of: <i>Neuroticism</i>; <i>Psychoticism</i>; and <i>Dark Triad</i> personality traits, was examined, which are often overlapping. The approach taken in this study was with an enduring commitment to risk mitigation. Professions per category included: <i>HCPs</i>: doctors (including specialists, interns, registrars); nurses; dentists; clinical academic researchers. <i>AHPs</i>: social workers; psychologists; physiotherapists; and, radiologists. <i>First Responders</i>: paramedics; law enforcement; firefighters; and many more related professions. Though a number of positive personality traits were detected, the argument for necessary profiling of individuals is explicated by the existent levels of <i>Neuroticism</i> and/or <i>Psychoticism</i> discovered within individual <i>HCPs</i>; <i>AHPs</i>; and, <i>First Responders</i>. The identification of these traits via personality assessment, and through profiling techniques, is always incredibly alarming. The <i>Wilma</i> scenario; and, medico-legal patient homicide, is supportively introduced. Consideration is given to: expulsion; deregistration/de-licensing; placement under supervision; and implementation of intervention strategies (if potentially successful) as the remedy to risk traits for the relevant individual worker. In extreme cases, such as identification of <i>Dark Triad</i> personality traits, the proposed process may naturally differ. Otherwise, workers may seek urgent intervention (e.g. an extended respite from work- assessable upon return to work initiatives); alternative employment; or, choose to reject necessary intervention. The vital importance of personality traits’ assessment and profiling of <i>HCPs</i>, <i>AHPs</i>, and <i>First Responders</i> encapsulates consideration of obligatory risk management; red flag alerts; assessment components included in: job recruitment, performance reviews and, post-critical incident debriefings; and, as part of educational curriculum (including undergraduate students). Highly relevant to <i>HCPs</i>, <i>AHPs</i>, <i>First Responders</i> are personality traits which directly effect <i>Patient safety</i> and appropriateness of care. Impactful conditions which may affect workers, from deleterious clinical decision-making, may involve: moral distress; <i>Second Victim Syndrome</i> (or <i>Secondary Traumatic Stress</i>); <i>Burnout</i>; and, <i>Posttraumatic Stress Disorder</i>. Further research is needed regarding ongoing personality assessment and profiling needed of all (from informal to formal) (and from undergraduates to seasoned professionals). Longitudinal monitoring of: <i>Allied Healthcare, First</i> <i>Responder,</i> and <i>Healthcare</i>, professional domains remain paramount in ensuring effective, as medical error free, and ethical, environments, as possible.