INFPs possess Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits. They are usually mediators and idealists due to their open-minded and empathetic nature. People with this personality type can thrive in various careers, including medicine.
INFPs can be great doctors. INFPs are caring, open-minded, positive, and empathetic. These are all traits doctors need. However, INFPs also have weaknesses that can hinder their success, such as unrealistic expectations, emotional vulnerability, issues with focus, and self-criticism.
This article will consider whether INFPs can become good doctors, what personality traits a doctor needs to have, as well as the pros and cons of being or having a doctor with an INFP personality.
Can An INFP Thrive As A Doctor?
Depending on the type of person an INFP is, they can thrive in many different careers. According to PsychReel, INFPs should consider the following careers:
- Healthcare/Primary care physician
- Writer
- Video Game Player or Tester
- Journalist
- Editor
- Proofreader
- Video editor
- Artist
- Actor or actress
As you can see, healthcare is listed as one of the best career choices for an INFP. INFPs can be great doctors due to certain personality traits they have.
5 Pros Of Being A Doctor With An INFP Personality
There are pros to being a doctor if you’re an INFP due to positive and applicable personality traits. These are the advantages of being a doctor with an INFP personality:
INFPs Are Empathetic, And Doctors Need To Be Too
They can feel other people’s emotions and put themselves in another’s shoes. Because of this, they are kind-hearted and thoughtful. They would never hurt someone intentionally. Empathy is thus an important part of healthcare.
A doctor must empathize with their patients and the situation they are in. In the British Journal of General Practice, Dob Eby states that empathy is important if a doctor wants to practice medicine effectively. All patients want to feel understood and respected. A doctor must consider what is important to the patient and consider their concerns.
INFPs Are Generous, And Medical Care Demands Generosity
INFPs are kind and generous people. They are mediators who love to uplift the people around them, give credit where it is due, and contribute to a world where people’s needs are being met. Healthcare workers need that same generosity when offering treatment to patients.
They need to feel comfortable with prioritizing their patient’s needs. INFPs can be compassionate, sacrifice personal time, and prioritize their patients.
INFPs Are Open-minded Just Like Doctors Need To Be
INFPs are mediators, which makes them accepting, open-minded, and tolerant. They will never show bias against someone else or judge anyone for their decisions, beliefs, or lifestyles. Similarly, medical practitioners need to treat all people with the same respect.
Being open-minded is an active process. It is important that doctors be aware not to treat someone differently when their lives are different from their own. All patients must be treated the same no matter their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, etc. INFPs will be able to do this with ease.
INFPs Are Creative, And Creativity Matters In Medicine
INFPs are creative and able to see things from different perspectives. They are able to explore different possibilities and ideas. Doctors sometimes face problems that don’t have easy solutions. They then need to use their creativity to think of one. This is also where open-mindedness comes in. Because an INFP is a creative human beings by nature, they will be able to think of creative solutions to problems.
INFPs Are Positive Like Doctors Need To Be
Doctors should have a certain level of positivity to be great medical practitioners. INFPs are, by nature, idealists. They want to better the world and live a life with purpose. This trait is a pro in the medical profession. Being a doctor is more than just cutting people open and prescribing pills.
5 Cons Of Being A Doctor With An INFP Personality
Like everyone, INFPs have their weaknesses, making it difficult to thrive at being a doctor. A list of some of the cons of being a doctor with an INFP personality follows.
INFPs Can Be Unfocused
Due to their imaginative and introspective nature, INFPs can sometimes become lost in thought and ideas. It can be difficult for them to get things done. To be a successful doctor, you need to have laser focus and avoid procrastination.
INFPs Are Emotionally Vulnerable
INFPsability to experience emotions can be both a strength and a weakness. This can hinder their ability to do the job effectively. To be a doctor, you need to have boundaries and be careful not to absorb your patients’ emotions to the extent that it completely overwhelms you.
INFPs Are Usually Self-Critical
Sometimes INFPs can set unrealistic expectations for themselves, causing them to feel useless when they do not live up to them. They can also experience feelings of inadequacy if they don’t reach the goal they set for themselves. As a doctor, you need to be realistic about what to expect of yourself. You also need to be confident in your skills and abilities.
INFPs Are People-Pleasers
INFPs are desperate to please others, and they hate conflict and always strive for harmony. This can be draining for INFPs if they become doctors. Doctors must be able to deal with co-workers and patients and able to deal with conflict if the need arises.
INFPs Can Be Unrealistic
INFPs are usually hopeless romantics, which makes it difficult for them to accept that the world is not perfect. Being a doctor will come with disappointments along the way, and sometimes things will not work out the way they should, especially with patients. This will be difficult for an INFP to deal with.
Conclusion
Not all people are the same. There will be INFPs who will thrive at being doctors and others who won’t. INFPs have a lot of traits that would make them great doctors and a few shortcomings. Being aware of their weaknesses can greatly assist them in addressing their issues beforehand. It all depends on the person’s personality and abilities!
