Like the calm before the storm, the emergency room was only sporadically filled when I arrived to start another day of shadowing. After a few hours of seeing patients with relatively minor ailments, the doctor I observe jokingly mentioned he might actually get off of work on time that night. As our 10-hour shift wore on, however, it was apparent this would not be the case. With the chief complaint listed as tachycardia and vomiting, the state of the next patient we saw was far worse than any previous person fitting those same symptoms.
Substantially underweight, with mottled skin and abrasions covering his hands as the result of self-mutilation, this 22-year-old boy suffered from severe mental retardation in addition to his acute medical problems. …show more content…
Despite the cliché, I disagree that one’s calling towards medicine is about “helping people”. Most professions in one way or another provide a service that aids another’s life. Thus, my calling to be a doctor is about ending indifference. Had the general surgeon operated, I can confidently say he would have done everything within his skill set to “help” the patient. But this is not enough. The disrespect and lack of concern he showed was appalling. To me, being a physician is about recognizing a person’s suffering, whether it be a patient’s or loved one’s, and mitigating both the physical and emotional aspects that come with any illness. It’s about walking in someone else’s shoes, and adopting a perspective different from your …show more content…
Although I do not wish to diminish the amount of work and dedication it takes to fully know the intricacies of the human body, paramount is having empathy for patients and family members. I’m confident that my familial background and upbringing will allow me to be a genuine advocate for my patients. However, I realize I must also show admission committees that I can master the science component of being a physician. Successfully completing the ACMS program will illustrate my readiness for the rigors of medical school, getting me one step closer to leading the purposeful life of serving
Substantially underweight, with mottled skin and abrasions covering his hands as the result of self-mutilation, this 22-year-old boy suffered from severe mental retardation in addition to his acute medical problems. …show more content…
Despite the cliché, I disagree that one’s calling towards medicine is about “helping people”. Most professions in one way or another provide a service that aids another’s life. Thus, my calling to be a doctor is about ending indifference. Had the general surgeon operated, I can confidently say he would have done everything within his skill set to “help” the patient. But this is not enough. The disrespect and lack of concern he showed was appalling. To me, being a physician is about recognizing a person’s suffering, whether it be a patient’s or loved one’s, and mitigating both the physical and emotional aspects that come with any illness. It’s about walking in someone else’s shoes, and adopting a perspective different from your …show more content…
Although I do not wish to diminish the amount of work and dedication it takes to fully know the intricacies of the human body, paramount is having empathy for patients and family members. I’m confident that my familial background and upbringing will allow me to be a genuine advocate for my patients. However, I realize I must also show admission committees that I can master the science component of being a physician. Successfully completing the ACMS program will illustrate my readiness for the rigors of medical school, getting me one step closer to leading the purposeful life of serving