[MBTI General] INFPs and medicine

[Lotr246]

Is the field of medicine suited for INFPs?

 

[locke]

Depends on what kind of medicine. Holism, naturopathic medicine and herbalism are a good bets. In fact, I'm learning some of those myself. Medical school would stress me out, and I certainly wouldn't be able to perform surgery.

 

[runvardh]

I thought about medicine, but I've had trouble watching ER showes so I took that as a sign to not go that direction.

 

[Udog]

There are so many different jobs in medicine that there isn't a simple answer. Some jobs aren't very suited to an INFP's natural abilities, but others are.

I wish I would have seen this site when I was still in school:
MBTI and Medical Students

Any idea what kind of job in medicine you are interested in?

 

[Nonsensical]

My dad is borderline ENFP/INFP, more ENFP now, but was an INFP when he went into medicine..first anthropology, then into forensics, then into medicine.

My mother was an INFP and she worked as a family therapist, majoring in psych.

 

[Angry Ayrab]

I am an ENFP in med school right now, and I think an INFP would be more than perfect in medicine. We need more people with kind hearts and empathy in the field. What are you interested in?

 

[Anja]

I was in various forms of the wellness biz for a long time and loved it.

I didn't like all the rules and regulations, some of which actually got in the way of people getting well.

The documentation was a real pain and took more time sometimes than I spent with people.

Basically all the admin aspects were a hindrance for me, but necessary, and I learned shortcuts.

The emotional energy that was used every day was a drain and I always had to be watching for that.

 

[mlittrell]

I personally would steer clear. BUT if it intrests you, give it a shot.

 

[Venom]

1. Ne people prefer horizontal exploration usaully. connecting many seemingly unrelated things...learning a working knowledge of lots of things...global learning is good enough for Ne people.

2. job satisfaction (in the medical world) is highest in the specialties, where there is NO horizontal exploration. they wake up to talk about/learn super vertically explored subjects.

3. so maybe being a G.P. would make Ne happier...but then again G.P. has the lowest rates of being happy...is it because they have no vertical exploration at the benefit of horizontal? That would make sense if the typical doctor simply didnt like horizontal exploration.

BUT, maybe being a G.P. lacks not only in vertical, but ALSO lacks in horizontal exploration?

Big Question: is there enough horizontal exploration? or do you simply dig to a certain depth and then stay there (Are all doctors vertical learners and the specialists simply go deeper?)

Answer: ???

I like science, and even if I decide not to go for a Phd or MD (pretty much all you can do with a science degree), im still going to finish my undergrad science major... but becoming a doctor is sounding less and less appealing to me....and therefore i question why any INFP would think its a good fit.

i think i need to interview more doctors to be sure though....

 

[Udog]

1. Ne people prefer horizontal exploration usaully. connecting many seemingly unrelated things...learning a working knowledge of lots of things...global learning is good enough for Ne people.

2. job satisfaction (in the medical world) is highest in the specialties, where there is NO horizontal exploration. they wake up to talk about/learn super vertically explored subjects.

3. so maybe being a G.P. would make Ne happier...but then again G.P. has the lowest rates of being happy...is it because they have no vertical exploration at the benefit of horizontal? That would make sense if the typical doctor simply didnt like horizontal exploration.

Specialists may be the happiest for many reasons. They usually get paid the most, and get to focus on the cases and subjects that interested them in med school. Also, different specialties require different skills, so people can pick the field for which they are best suited.

GPs have it tough. Most of the stuff they see is pretty routine (death to Ne), and the interesting cases usually get referred to a specialist. GPs often have to squeeze as many patients into the day as they can, which wears on ya after awhile. Let's not forget about all the charts these patients generate, as well, and the insurance claims they generate. Finally, to top it off, they don't get paid as well. (Most GPs will not recommend you getting into it for the money.)

 

[nolla]

I was a medic in the army (not like in war or anything... The army here means that every man is trained in case someone (ahem, Russia) decides to attack) and it was quite nice. I hanged around the hospital most of the time and helped the doctors in some easy stuff. I never felt that it was impossible for me to get into that business because of the blood and stuff. I could easily distance myself from it and do what I was supposed to do.. but I never saw any serious cases while in there, just fixed a few broken bones and some cuts.

 

[anarchos]

I'm an INFP & also a fresh doctor, having worked for almost a year now in New Zealand (I'm born in Malaysia, only arrived here 4 years ago).

Well to be frank, I have a strong love-hate relationship with my job. The oppurtunity to help people get better, & the remarkable faith patients have on me are incredibly fulfilling. However, I absolutely detest the endlessly mundane paperwork & bureaucracy in hospitals. So much so that I can't wait to get out of hospital & work as a general practitioner lol.

It is inevitable that there will be subspecialties that INFP absolutely abhors in Medicine. For me the chief enemy being Orthopaedics (bone, tendons & muscle). Basically it's carpentry on humans - you need a good grasp of anatomy, & brute strength... little else. I can't help but find Orthopaedics generally dull, crude & rough.

Please forgive my prejudice lol. For all INFPs out there who's curious about pursuing a career in medicine, feel free to ask me anything.

 

[Fan.of.Devin]

My brother is an INFP, and he works as a nurses aid.
Currently works at a retirement home.

 

[Rebe]

- if you're great in science
- if you have the passion
- and can memorize - huge loads of information
- if you are not sensitive to blood, bones, skin, weird infections...etc to which i am particularly sensitive to
- medicine is also a huge sector
- following regulations, dealing with all kinds of people, not showing over-empathy, being able to be professional and detached

 

[Chloe]

it is for anyone who has passion for it, regardless of type.

speaking like 3rd year med student who dropped out

 

[phoenix13]

- if you're great in science
- if you have the passion
- and can memorize - huge loads of information
- if you are not sensitive to blood, bones, skin, weird infections...etc to which i am particularly sensitive to
- medicine is also a huge sector
- following regulations, dealing with all kinds of people, not showing over-empathy, being able to be professional and detached

I agree with all of this.

...also, I just want to say that I SUCK AT MEMORIZING HUGE QUANTITIES OF INFORMATION AND AM CURRENTLY DROWNING IN IT!!!! I'm so overwhelmed!!! uch:
[/pityparty]

Medical school is hard. Many of my classmates are similarly overwhelmed, and doubting one's suitability for the profession is quite common. I see it as a hazing... a loooooong hazing that begins with the MCATs and ends with your last day of residency. You do need to be passionate about medicine to get through it, but it's normal to have doubts.

 

[skylights]

oh my gosh i love this thread!! thanks for the revive of it anarchos

i'm pondering medicine myself and it's good to hear from others with doubts. my thing is, i'm less afraid of med school and more afraid of getting bored eventually. not that med school will be fun, but i know i'll be challenged and learning all new kinds of things every day.

GPs have it tough. Most of the stuff they see is pretty routine (death to Ne), and the interesting cases usually get referred to a specialist. GPs often have to squeeze as many patients into the day as they can, which wears on ya after awhile. Let's not forget about all the charts these patients generate, as well, and the insurance claims they generate. Finally, to top it off, they don't get paid as well. (Most GPs will not recommend you getting into it for the money.)

true that. i would DEFINITELY prefer to be a specialist. the GPs i know (my family has its share of doctors and therefore doctor-friends) like their jobs because they keep up with people over long spans of time - get to watch the kids grow, etc.

Big Question: is there enough horizontal exploration? or do you simply dig to a certain depth and then stay there (Are all doctors vertical learners and the specialists simply go deeper?)

restriction is my biggest fear.

 

[anarchos]

Well GPs in NZ are paid awesomely well. You have full flexibility to decide your working hours, & you usually are able to get the annual leave you want instead of having to wait in dread for managers to approve them. Basically, GPs here are great for people who desire more freedom & escaping from a rigid healthcare system.

 

[CrystalViolet]

I've thought about it. Seriously. I work in pathology, so it's not a stretch, I know I have the chops for it, but in the end for me, it seemed like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I would find the patient contact tiresome. Having said that, I think INFP's would make great doctors, if they can cope with the stress during training.
I'm opting to requalify as a psychologist instead, LOL.

 

[anarchos]

i'm pondering medicine myself and it's good to hear from others with doubts. my thing is, i'm less afraid of med school and more afraid of getting bored eventually. not that med school will be fun, but i know i'll be challenged and learning all new kinds of things every day.

......

i would DEFINITELY prefer to be a specialist.

Funny, the fear of boredom is exactly the reason why I choose to be a generalist rather than a specialist. Because of the extreme narrowness of a particular specialty, you'll end up seeing similar cases ad nauseam.