Any INTJ doctors?

[nelsonm360]

I'm planning on taking a medical root down the career path and becoming a doctor but I'm not sure if its the right career for me and if I'll enjoy it in the long run. I was wondering if INTJs make good doctors or weather it well suit me. any views on the subject will be much appreciated.

[Nonsuch]

I have a feeling that there are very few doctors in the house.

[Autumnleaf]

You will likely deal with many people unless you become a specialist. Pick your route wisely.

[Reddkatz]

I'm working on pre-med, and I actually am deciding on internal medicine. I was first majoring in nursing, and changed it because I knew it wouldn't fit me.

[eagleseven]

Not becoming a doctor, but work with them daily. If I became a doctor, I would become a Pathologist...lots of detective-work (figuring out the difficult cases), and the only patients you directly deal with are already dead.

I would imagine that most INTJs would become exhausted working with stressed, demanding patients all day...just venturing onto the floors for an hour or two does me in. I much prefer the company of the pathology lab.

[XFire35]

I'm a student in a healthcare profession with a high-patient turnover (~8hrs, new patient ~10-15mins). It's difficult at first, but then I found that I adapted to the situation and put the patients first. Once you find the balance of work/introvert time, it can be manageable - i.e. during lunch I sit by myself, the journey there and back I don't talk to anyone and when I get home I'm not too talkative.

[heaven]

Im a doctor in Italy,, im currently doing my residency in Emergency medicine.
I hat.e forensics, I hate being in an office, I hate pediatrics I love kids but i can't see a child suffering)
I could say that i like action and blood hahahaha

[Humanzee]

Mother wanted me to go into medicine but I did not see the point (all memorizing, and risking killing people -- why???)

Now I watch House and say, "HEY, that's awesome".... well until the past few seasons.

[alyCMK]

Hm, if you are not personable as a doctor people tend to feel uncomfortable. If you are not comfortable dealing with people at all, I really would not recommend it. Patients like to have someone they can talk to openly about their problems without feeling awkward or judged, and a good amount of INTJ's give that sort of awkward, judgemental air. You also have to take into consideration the amount of touching you will be doing when examining a person. If that touch feely stuff is not you...well, you have your answer right there.

[Monte314]

There are several doctors on the Forum, but they rarely identify themselves as such. They probably have plenty of other things to do.

[rahdam]

I'm gunning for Emergency Medicine.
And I've already decided that I shall not be a physician forever; I have other aspirations in other fields after I feel that I have accomplished what I want to accomplish in medicine.

[Aklis]

I've been a long time fan of House (ever since the show started, back in '04), and while I've found that it would be interesting to be a doctor (brain surgeon feels very interesting), I just wouldn't be able to handle dealing with patients.

[Reddkatz]

Hm, if you are not personable as a doctor people tend to feel uncomfortable. If you are not comfortable dealing with people at all, I really would not recommend it. Patients like to have someone they can talk to openly about their problems without feeling awkward or judged, and a good amount of INTJ's give that sort of awkward, judgemental air. You also have to take into consideration the amount of touching you will be doing when examining a person. If that touch feely stuff is not you...well, you have your answer right there.

There are actually quite a few doctors who don't have the greatest bedside manner, but yet they constantly get new patients because they are good doctors. Most patients will tolerate the lack of personality if you are good in the field you are in. I have noticed. There is one doctor that patients will wait 3-5 hours for because he is that good.

[antistu]

With my current taste for studies, I certainly think it is within my own capabilities to go the Med school route. In fact, I know I could succeed in medicine if I wanted to. I suppose most INTJs can confirm to that.

However, at this stage I wouldn’t see the point. I’m not sure what the worth would be – more money? Not to mention the beauracy? I much rather stay in scientific research. I would think doctors are not ideal professions for INTJs, it sounds as though others have more interest in medical research (which we are known better for).

[Reddkatz]

I'm a student in a healthcare profession with a high-patient turnover (~8hrs, new patient ~10-15mins). It's difficult at first, but then I found that I adapted to the situation and put the patients first. Once you find the balance of work/introvert time, it can be manageable - i.e. during lunch I sit by myself, the journey there and back I don't talk to anyone and when I get home I'm not too talkative.

This is how I manage my work day. If people want to get in touch with me after work, they have to text or email because I don't feel like talking to people.

[XFire35]

This is how I manage my work day. If people want to get in touch with me after work, they have to text or email because I don't feel like talking to people.
I get quite short with people too and usually end up venting on them. I'm thankful for a locking door and music.

I'm gunning for Emergency Medicine.
And I've already decided that I shall not be a physician forever; I have other aspirations in other fields after I feel that I have accomplished what I want to accomplish in medicine.
I want to go into Medicine after I've finished this degree, EM is what interests me most.

[heaven]

I'm gunning for Emergency Medicine.
And I've already decided that I shall not be a physician forever; I have other aspirations in other fields after I feel that I have accomplished what I want to accomplish in medicine.

I get quite short with people too and usually end up venting on them. I'm thankful for a locking door and music.


I want to go into Medicine after I've finished this degree, EM is what interests me most.



Yes, Emergency Medicine is the best choice i love it, i think is because we are "perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving" and intuitive thinkers.

But we also could be excellent physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, epidemiologists, researchers, etc.

But not so much psychiatrist, the theory is spectacular; but talk with patients for hours is a pain in the ass. Is a good choice if you are a researcher.

[SarcasticVlad]

I wanted to be a doctor but I've realized on time that medical education in my country sucks and I could never be the kind of doctor I want.

[peppersasen]

Gregory House is a fictional character. No real doctor could get away with his behavior.

I was wondering if INTJs make good doctors or weather it well suit me. any views on the subject will be much appreciated.

Being an I, you'd have to work on your people skills. The detective work can easily appeal the INTJ, but I imagine most INTJs would have to adjust their approach in dealing with other humans in order to become good health professionals.

As a doctor, you'll be required to deal with new patients (new strangers every single day) in addition to your regular patients and your patients' inner circle. You will also have to be good with gaining people's trust, especially if you're going to be a family doctor and you may have to convince one family member that you will be able to maintain confidentiality. If a patient doesn't tell you the truth in fear that you will be somehow judgmental or you can't convince your patient that you will treat her despite your difference of values, your work suffers. If a patient is left untreated because she was afraid to tell you all the gory details and she dies, it's [at least partially] your failure. Learn to read cues, because when patients get tired of inpatient treatment, they can be complete liars and feign health.

INTJs tend to lose patience when dealing with stupidity and thickness in people. The thing is, when people are ill, they can become very different people. The most educated, calm, and collected person can turn into a complete pain in the ass when they're in pain or under the influence. And then there are the delirious sickos. Oh boy. The patient's entourage can get hysterical and be very demanding, clingy, and drain your soul.

Communication is key. Learn how to be diplomatic (damn INTJs and their directness/bluntness). You can't shoot a "your girlfriend caught MRSA because her immune system sucks. Plus, we can't treat her for any of the symptoms because she's allergic to antibiotics, so she'll be in extreme pain and will die a painful death. So she's got about, uh... [looks at watch] 48 hours left to live." [shrugs, leaves inpatients' room, heads off to the WHO's little birthday party for the free booze].

I've read news reports about how some doctors in certain countries have to work on their people skills (there's supposedly a documentary film on the subject, but I'm asking around if the screenings are subtitled). Patients in those countries have begun to resort to medical tourism because the doctors in their home countries are simply bad communicators: they would not bother to get into detail in explaining a patient's condition despite their right to know what's wrong with their bodies and they also couldn't be bothered with explaining all the treatment alternatives, the pros and cons (side effects and such), and how much each treatment would cost. Instead, they administer whatever treatment they view is the best (often the most expensive option being presented as the "only" option). Doctors who play God like that are not good doctors. In the medical world, people shouldn't be taking such shortcuts just because they can't be bothered to communicate.

It'll never be just about how intelligent, analytical, or how well-equipped you are for health professionals. As INTJs, either we work on our people skills or the career path won't work out for us.

[elsdfr]

I know a guy who is becomming an anaesthetist and might also be an INTJ, I went to high school with him. He's 31 and has gray hair and spent a majority of his life working for this position. Sure he drives a nice car and has a nice house but for his age he has to be the most immature person I've met.

I don't wish I was a doctor.

[nazz]

Med student as well here. Almost done

I agree from what I saw of patients, they'll put up with bad attitudes if the doctor is known to be very good.

There's always Radiology too, rare patient contact, lots of interesting stuff to do.

[NixonKneivel]

I do some career coaching as a part of my business, so I can only use that as a reference point, as well as my experience as an INTJ worker/employer.

I hope you are watching HOUSE to help your research, because he is the ideal case for an INTJ in the medical profession. People are the containers of his medical mysteries, not human beings to be nurtured.

(1) He has a team of much more relational people to do his interpersonal interaction. He has 2 peers (sort of) and a team of doctors under him.
(2) He is the world's best at a very unusual occupation. According to the show's reality, he is the head of the world's only dept of diagnostic medicine... that means that even in TV Land, you have to be the Lance Armstrong our your field to get people to let you do the brain part and leave you alone with the interpersonal part.

I have tried to replicate this structure in my business, and it works pretty well, but clients who want facetime with the CEO (me) seem to have a hard time adjusting.

Good luck!

[John01]

I know a guy who is becomming an anaesthetist and might also be an INTJ, I went to high school with him. He's 31 and has gray hair and spent a majority of his life working for this position. Sure he drives a nice car and has a nice house but for his age he has to be the most immature person I've met.


I certainly don't know all that the job of anesthesiologist entails, but having watched a number of them in surgeries just sitting in their chair, changing the radio station occasionally, taking naps and reading books, it looks like one of the most boring professions out there.

[elsdfr]

I certainly don't know all that the job of anesthesiologist entails, but having watched a number of them in surgeries just sitting in their chair, changing the radio station occasionally, taking naps and reading books, it looks like one of the most boring professions out there.

Well he didn't end up getting into Radiology which is what he wanted and it was the next pick apparently.

He's not much of a people person and I think he's a doctor because his father was.

I guess it could be boring, but I think it suits him, not sure what it would be like to do it for 30 years though. You have to sit and monitor everything and lets face it, it's a pretty critical thing keeping someone unconcious during an operation.

And after some more thought I couldn't quite put him as an INTJ, perhaps an INTP.

[nazz]

Anesthesiologists in the OR are responsible for putting the patient under during a surgery and keeping him alive during the procedure, maintaining the balance of heart/lung function and sedation.
They also need to know what type of anesthesia to use given what meds the patient is already on and his current general health.
Though I do agree they look bored in an OR.

Besides that they can go into ICU or Pain management as a sub, the latter of which is usually a highly competitive fellowship

[XFire35]

Med student as well here. Almost done

I agree from what I saw of patients, they'll put up with bad attitudes if the doctor is known to be very good.

There's always Radiology too, rare patient contact, lots of interesting stuff to do.
At the hospital where I am training, the Radiologists spend most of their time in a darkened room looking at a computer screen. Some do fluro/US guided injections/biopsies, but it doesn't seem to happen too often - I think being a Radiologist would be quite a boring job where variety is concerned (and seeing daylight).

I certainly don't know all that the job of anesthesiologist entails, but having watched a number of them in surgeries just sitting in their chair, changing the radio station occasionally, taking naps and reading books, it looks like one of the most boring professions out there.

When I've seen them, they don't seem very interested in what they are doing - maybe what I've seen has been quite routine.

[nazz]

At the hospital where I am training, the Radiologists spend most of their time in a darkened room looking at a computer screen. Some do fluro/US guided injections/biopsies, but it doesn't seem to happen too often - I think being a Radiologist would be quite a boring job where variety is concerned (and seeing daylight).



When I've seen them, they don't seem very interested in what they are doing - maybe what I've seen has been quite routine.


That's the thing, just like anesthesiologists, their basic job description is very boring, but that changes if you sub-specialize.

Some people see the future in non-invasive techniques which an Interventional Radiologist basically does, from embolizing bleeding arteries to dilating blocked ones.

Same as Pain Management which is increasing in demand the older and longer patients with chronic or terminal disease live.

I'm not saying they're the most -exciting- jobs, but its a very low patient contact job with quite some payoff if you pursue a fellowship. It's a niche :p

[wunderkind]

I work in healthcare and I am in contact with many MDs. Said it earlier here, medicine is ESTX business ... I think INTJs may be overrepresented among physicians (compared to general population) but being an INTJ is disadvantage for medical career. Contact with patients is more crucial than your scientific/technical knowledge and you have to deal well with many other staff within clinic, professional bodies, etc. It`s difficult job for introverts.

[nazz]

I disagree.

Although I do admit it was hard at first dealing with patients, even now in my last year its not that much of an issue to me.

I took it as something i need to learn just like all the medical info and procedures.

The clinic shifts are much worse for me than in patient wards since the inpatients you just know who's who and who has what so you basically figure people out. In clinics all of the patients are new, you need to deal with new people etc..

But, practically speaking, you as a doctor will be much more focused on analyzing whats wrong and asking questions to get information, that you'll be distracted from thinking about or being bothered by anything in a social sense and your typical politeness just kicks in by ending everything with a please and just getting through the day without insulting anyone.

And the patients themselves will be more busy with whats wrong with them, and actually see you as thorough and be eager to answer. Most of them at least, for me.

[gerhardt]

Is House an INTJ? If so, what is the source of his greatest danger? Beauracrats? Medicine like all technologies demands money. What part of your soul would you trade for a shekel? INTJ's need ENTJ's who run interference with the big dogs. Only NT's can fully appreciate rigorous imagination and allow for process/product to develope in its time. Don't focus on I/E issues. You need the many from which to cull the few to which deep relationships can form. Isn't that what we are doing here?

[Reddkatz]

I hope you are watching HOUSE to help your research, because he is the ideal case for an INTJ in the medical profession. People are the containers of his medical mysteries, not human beings to be nurtured.

Oh I sure do want to emulate him. And I do know some doctors who is doesn't have the exact same mannerism as he does, but is very close; yet they are very popular because they are good doctors. Which is the case with House. No matter how much of an ass he is, people will come from 3000 miles and out of the country to see him.

[elsdfr]

My friend that I spoke of earlier may have lost a good portion of his life to become what he is but wow, he has so much money. He has a house filled with awesome tech, a sports car to die for and a 200k merc and he's not even fully qualified! Sure he has no time to use most of it but damn, I do get jealous sometimes (thankfully he doesn't gloat). Oh and he has a work friend who is qualified and appently he's throwing 3k a week down for rent alone and he's 30. :surprised:

[TylerRDA]

I disagree.

Although I do admit it was hard at first dealing with patients, even now in my last year its not that much of an issue to me.

I took it as something i need to learn just like all the medical info and procedures.

The clinic shifts are much worse for me than in patient wards since the inpatients you just know who's who and who has what so you basically figure people out. In clinics all of the patients are new, you need to deal with new people etc..

But, practically speaking, you as a doctor will be much more focused on analyzing whats wrong and asking questions to get information, that you'll be distracted from thinking about or being bothered by anything in a social sense and your typical politeness just kicks in by ending everything with a please and just getting through the day without insulting anyone.

And the patients themselves will be more busy with whats wrong with them, and actually see you as thorough and be eager to answer. Most of them at least, for me.

+1. Couldn't have said it better myself. I work in a dental office (day job) and I was initially very uncomfortable with working around people 8-10 hrs./day, but one day I just realized, CHILL OUT. To them, you're just a guy who works there. I will presumably always be introverted, but I think it's healthy to stretch your limits. Makes you well rounded. Plus, think of the good we could do by introducing a little novel mode of thinking into medicine.

[peppersasen]

Contact with patients is more crucial than your scientific/technical knowledge and you have to deal well with many other staff within clinic, professional bodies, etc. It`s difficult job for introverts.

The good news is that more and more people are beginning to realize and acknowledge how important interpersonal skills are for health workers and mental health workers. One university I know even has a policy for students who are seen to be [mentally] "unsuitable" to be health workers: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. One can be refused admission/expelled if they behave like House. LOL.

[XFire35]

The good news is that more and more people are beginning to realize and acknowledge how important interpersonal skills are for health workers and mental health workers. One university I know even has a policy for students who are seen to be [mentally] "unsuitable" to be health workers: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. One can be refused admission/expelled if they behave like House. LOL.

For healthcare students, my university has a disciplinary panel, which can expel someone from the course for unsafe/unprofessional/etc. practice.

[tower fool]

No personal experience however a friend of mine, INTP, has a sister that is an INTJ that is a Dr. She specializes in reading X-ray images. That was a few years back so it likely is just medical images now. When a Dr. isn’t sure, she gets sent the image and gives her opinion. No patients to deal with.

[Palaver]

See here for a review:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. df

Also:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Phoenixfc]

Being a doctor is my dream since high school. I am not in this track now (I am learning business) but I still hold this interest... I don't care to talk with stupid patients.... I love the attitude doctors hold...

[DrWin]

Being a doctor is my dream since high school. I am not in this track now (I am learning business) but I still hold this interest... I don't care to talk with stupid patients.... I love the attitude doctors hold...

I am currently applying to medical school. When I was younger I never thought that I could be a Dr. because I was so introverted and uncomfortable around people. Now, however, I feel that I have developed my people skills (still not very comfortable with small talk but working on it).

Of course I would specialize. Pathology and Radiology are my top choices right now. Go figure.

[BrittanyBoop]

Future doctor over here! Entering medical school this fall :thumbsup:

For some reason, the patient contact doesn't scare me. I think because I'm so interested in the field and I've wanted to be a doctor since I was little, I overlook that aspect. But then again, I'm interested in surgery, where I technically wouldn't be having a TON of patient contact every day. But I'm definitely open to the idea of doing OB/GYN or Emergency medicine. Very excited!

[Axion004]

<- No desire to become a medical doctor. Would like to teach courses in a university.

[Palindrome]

I attended nurse practitioner school for half a year, thinking about becoming a doctor one day. I have quit. I really don't like the chaos in hospital - endless interruption and requirements by many people. I really enjoy quiet moments with myself.

[Winklepicker]

It's a broad enough field, believe it or not, so if health/disease mysteries intrigue you like they do me, you can most likely find a niche you like, if you pick the right specialty.

But you have to really want it. I actually would advise anyone against going into medicine (in all sincerity), regardless of personality...and then the person who still hears that and is still determined to do it is the person who should go ahead and do it. I mostly say this if you're talking about doing your training in the U.S., because it's an entirely different training (and career) environment than in some other countries.

[eagleseven]

(2) He is the world's best at a very unusual occupation. According to the show's reality, he is the head of the world's only dept of diagnostic medicine... that means that even in TV Land, you have to be the Lance Armstrong our your field to get people to let you do the brain part and leave you alone with the interpersonal part.
That's why it's fiction. The closest real-life department is Pathology, where we perform the cool House-style testing and pathologists give attending physicians diagnoses.

Pathology has no contact with patients, and pathologists have some of the quirkiest introverted personalities you'll find. So it'd make boring TV, watching silent docs look at microscopes, scans, and make the occasional phone call.

Everybody in Pathology mocks House. The show combines the "coolest" parts of several different jobs, and gives it to a guy who would be kicked out of any self-respecting hospital. Not to mention get his license revoked. No modern doc performs diagnostic testing.

Going into medicine because you admire House is about as stupid as going into law because you love Law and Order.

[Oliver2]

I am new here and realize other postsare much older, but for new readers looking for an answer
I am an intj doctor a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician and this is a great career the work is challenging and complex and demanding but not emotionally draining like some other specialties ,would most likely also enjoy pathology, forensic pathology, public health medicine
For sure. Problem is medical schools and their admission committees for the most part do not want intj students, they want what they perceive to be extroverted very people friendly who get energy from patient interactions and are looking to solve primary care shortage...so if you want to do this at college you have to involve yourself in activities extroverts would be drawn to and interact appropriately with them and sound very extroverted and people friendly at your interview to have a chance. Warning once you get in the faculty will by and large not like you and will make your life miserable, but if you can take it the career is wonderful. I do emergency radiology and help save patients lives every night, work is exciting, help diagnose diseases that are difficult to figure out clinically where time is critical,go for it!

[Askew]

Pick your specialty carefully. INTJ`s (I think) can be great doctors. BUT, one where the patients are unconscious or dead is probably the best (e.g., ICU, Surgeon, anaesthesia, pathology.)

Don`t deal with patients unless you really want to. Being a healthcare professional is v. rewarding. If you love what you do. Otherwise it is cruel to inflict yourself on patients.

[lkso]

I am new here and realize other postsare much older, but for new readers looking for an answer
I am an intj doctor a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician and this is a great career the work is challenging and complex and demanding but not emotionally draining like some other specialties ,would most likely also enjoy pathology, forensic pathology, public health medicine
For sure. Problem is medical schools and their admission committees for the most part do not want intj students, they want what they perceive to be extroverted very people friendly who get energy from patient interactions and are looking to solve primary care shortage...so if you want to do this at college you have to involve yourself in activities extroverts would be drawn to and interact appropriately with them and sound very extroverted and people friendly at your interview to have a chance. Warning once you get in the faculty will by and large not like you and will make your life miserable, but if you can take it the career is wonderful. I do emergency radiology and help save patients lives every night, work is exciting, help diagnose diseases that are difficult to figure out clinically where time is critical,go for it!

Welcome! For sure you are definitely a doctor. Can't write a sentence with correct punctuation to save a patients life! :drunk:

[Lawtey]

I'm in my third year university with all my courses oriented towards applying into medicine. Personally I can't imagine myself doing anything but this. The human body is my only real interest, information about it sticks in my head like glue. I'll write the MCAT next summer and hopefully be in by the fall following that year.

[Oliver2]

Sorry ,sometimes go too fast on my iPad and it changes words and punctuation. I should have proofed it.