Supporting introverted medical students.

The most recent trigger for this blog was a conversation at the most recent open day with an introverted individual who was apprehensive about medicine.  Prior to this, my interest in the topic was initially sparked by a comment made by an upset student who had been told they wouldn’t succeed in medicine as an introvert. This student also felt extroverted traits like outgoingness, assertiveness and confidence to speak in front of large groups, had been emphasised during their student experience to date. As such, their confidence had been knocked, and they failed to see the value introverted medics could bring.

Like all workplaces, the medical field benefits from a diverse range of personality types, including both introverts and extroverts. Each brings a unique set of strengths to patient care, and collaboration between different personality types can lead to more comprehensive and effective healthcare delivery.  So, what should we be doing better to ensure introverted students feel valued and can excel in their studies and medical careers?

TOP TIP 1 – First and foremost – Recognize and Validate Introversion. Value the strengths and qualities of introverted individuals and don’t devalue them by careless comments. Please.

Some of those strengths and qualities include active and empathetic listening, and good communication skills. Whilst being mindful that not one size fits all, in general introverted individuals are often excellent listeners, and skilled at noticing social cues and non-verbal communication. This can help them to notice subtle changes or symptoms, as introverts often take the time to fully understand the concerns of others, which, in a clinical setting, is crucial for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.  They also tend to be highly empathetic and sensitive to the emotions and needs of others. This empathy can help them build strong doctor-patient relationships and provide compassionate care. Likewise, the quieter demeaner of an introvert can have a calming presence, which could help others feel more relaxed in their presence, again helping the establishment of meaningful doctor-patient relationships. When linked with effective communication, introverts, although they may not be outspoken, can often excel at clear and concise communication, both in written and verbal forms. It goes without saying that this is essential for conveying complex medical information to patients and colleagues.

In short, there is plenty of evidence that shows introverted individuals can make excellent medical practitioners.  My aim as an educator is to support all students, including introverted students, so that they can thrive and excel in their academic and clinical pursuits.

So TIP 2 – Make Learning environments inclusive for all. I think the world would be a very overwhelming place if EVERYONE was extroverted. So, please can we work to let introverted students (and anyone else come to that) know that their introversion is a valid and valuable personality trait. Validate the notion that introverted individuals bring unique strengths to medicine, such as active listening, empathy, and attention to detail (Yes, I know I’m repeating myself, I think this is important).  Getting to know your students individually helps, as you can then offer tailored support. Helping all students to develop self-awareness to understand their own learning preferences, and to have confidence to communicate their needs to educators when necessary is so valuable. An individual who has difficulty communicating their own needs, regardless of their level of introversion, is likely to benefit from more support and mentoring. Within a classroom setting, encouraging thoughtful discussion and providing opportunities for written contributions, group work, and one-on-one interactions, we can help make learning environments inclusive for all, introverts included.

Remember that introverted medical students can excel in their studies and medical careers when provided with the right support and encouragement. By creating an inclusive and understanding learning environment, you can help introverted students reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the field of medicine.

Sources of information used for this blog:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10401334.2014.979183?needAccess=true

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2023.2216357?needAccess=true

https://mededpublish.org/articles/10-107

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10401334.2021.1922284

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10904018.2016.1202770?needAccess=true