‘Insight’ in medical training: what, why, and how?

Abstract

Abstract The term ‘insight’ is generically defined in English language as the ability to perceive deeper truths about people and situations. In clinical practice, patient insight is known to have important implications in treatment compliance and clinical outcomes, and can be assessed clinically by looking for the presence of illness awareness, correct attribution of symptoms to underlying condition, and acceptance of treatment. In this article, we suggest that cultivating insight is actually a highly important, yet often overlooked, component of medical training, which may explain why some consistently learn well, communicate effectively, and quickly attain clinical competency, while others struggle throughout their clinical training and may even be difficult to remediate. We herein define ‘insight’ in the context of medical training as having an astute perception of personal cognitive processes, motivations, emotions, and ability (strengths, weaknesses, and limitations) that should drive self-improvement and effective behavioural regulation. We then describe the utility of cultivating ‘insight’ in medical training through three lenses of (i) promoting self-regulated, lifelong clinical learning, (ii) improving clinical competencies and person-centred care, and (iii) enhancing physician mental health and well-being. In addition, we review educational pedagogies that are helpful to create a medical eco-system that promotes the cultivation of insight among its trainees and practitioners. Finally, we highlight several tell-tale signs of poor insight and discuss psychological and non-psychological interventions that may help those severely lacking in insight to become more amenable to change and remediation.