Studies have measured the ability of medical students and physicians to tolerate ambiguity for years. Several studies have shown that a physician's ability to tolerate ambiguity correlates to their level of psychological well-being. Those with a low tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty "tend to report a higher rate of referrals, burnout, and anxiety, and lower level of satisfaction, less comfort in dealing with dying patients, and higher levels of dogmatism, rigidity, and conformism," according to a 2017 study in Medical Teacher, which utilizes many others' findings as well as their own assessments.
Schools are very interested in your reactivity and ability to handle uncertainty. In 2019, the AAMC surveyed students using a Tolerance for Ambiguity (TFA) Scale. Scores could range from 7 to 42, with higher scores correlating to a higher tolerance for ambiguity. The mean for incoming medical students across all schools was 24.9. Want to do better than that? Take care of yourself—and be ready to grow. A study published in 2021 found that strong TFA over time was associated with greater empathy and openness to diversity.
Interested in some healthy behaviors that can help you to improve your TFA?
- Stay social. Developing and maintaining strong relationships provides a safety net in hard times and helps you to be empathetic and less self-centered.
- Sleep. When sleep is in your control, try to maximize the opportunity
- Physical movement. You don't need to have six-pack abs to be a strong candidate for medical school or med student—exercise is just another way to reduce your risk of a meltdown.
- Meditation and mindfulness. Meditation isn't about having a blank mind; it's about acknowledging and letting go of intrusive thoughts and accepting what is happening at the moment. We urge you to give it a try.
Check out our med school application tutorials here or get in touch here.
Schools are very interested in your reactivity and ability to handle uncertainty. In 2019, the AAMC surveyed students using a Tolerance for Ambiguity (TFA) Scale. Scores could range from 7 to 42, with higher scores correlating to a higher tolerance for ambiguity. The mean for incoming medical students across all schools was 24.9. Want to do better than that? Take care of yourself—and be ready to grow. A study published in 2021 found that strong TFA over time was associated with greater empathy and openness to diversity.
Interested in some healthy behaviors that can help you to improve your TFA?
- Stay social. Developing and maintaining strong relationships provides a safety net in hard times and helps you to be empathetic and less self-centered.
- Sleep. When sleep is in your control, try to maximize the opportunity
- Physical movement. You don't need to have six-pack abs to be a strong candidate for medical school or med student—exercise is just another way to reduce your risk of a meltdown.
- Meditation and mindfulness. Meditation isn't about having a blank mind; it's about acknowledging and letting go of intrusive thoughts and accepting what is happening at the moment. We urge you to give it a try.
Check out our med school application tutorials here or get in touch here.
