Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Issues of Concern

Myers initially designed the MBTI for team building in healthcare settings. Differences in problem-solving approaches and communication styles can create barriers to effective teamwork. Understanding these diverse thinking and perceiving preferences through MBTI typology can help guide strategic changes in workflow and evaluation techniques.[3]

Clinical Significance

Although the MBTI was not originally designed for clinical use, it has been applied to certain patient populations. In psychology and psychiatry, the MBTI may provide insights into specific groups, such as those experiencing suicidality and unipolar depression. Research has shown that these populations tend to exhibit greater tendencies toward introversion in energy and perceiving in orientation than the general population. Researchers suggest that, with further confirmatory studies, these correlations could help identify vulnerability in patients with affective disorders.[4][5] 

The MBTI may be beneficial for improving communication between healthcare professionals and patients. Notably, considering possible communication differences between the provider and the patient is important. For example, research suggests that doctors are significantly more likely to be introverts, intuitive perceivers, thinking deciders, and judging-oriented individuals compared to the general adult population, which tends to include more extroverts, sensing perceivers, feeling deciders, and perceiving-oriented individuals.[6] These potential differences can influence how patients interpret their interactions with providers. For instance, a doctor with a preference for intuitive perception and thinking judgment may approach communication with the following attitudes that differ from those of their patients:

• Respect my intelligence and desire to understand
• Demonstrate your competence
• Answer my questions honestly
• Provide options so I can identify a pattern [6]

A patient who leans toward sensing, perceiving, and feeling in decision-making may approach communication with the following attitudes:

• Listen to me carefully 
• Give me your complete attention
• Be warm and friendly
• Present facts with a personal touch
• Provide practical information about my condition [6]

Notably, it is suggested that MBTI typology be incorporated into communication skills training for healthcare professionals to address these communication differences.[6][7] Research has shown that formal, structured approaches to teaching professionalism and communication are more effective than passive observational learning. This is important, as improved patient-physician communication is associated with better health outcomes and may reduce the risk of legal action.[8][9][10]

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Interventions

All members of an interprofessional healthcare team would benefit from a basic understanding of the MBTI grading system. The MTBI system can facilitate patient interactions, foster empathy for how patients perceive their lives and experiences, and improve communication and collaboration within the team. Ultimately, this understanding can lead to better communication with patients and improved patient outcomes.