Medicine – A Profession I Wish To Be A Part Of
On a recent visit abroad, I had the pleasure of observing and shadowing doctors and nurses, where healthcare is seen as a privilege rather than a basic human right. This experience provided me with a greater understanding of the difficulties and challenges endured by professionals in the field of medicine. The devotion of the nurses, doctors and surgeons, all working alongside each other, playing their role to help coordinate patient care, was inspirational for me.
At a GP surgery I was given the privilege of being part of patient consultations, highlighting the importance of the role the medical professionals play in the lives of the patients. It became apparent that more than a mechanical response and autonomous procedure was required by the practitioner to help the patients. It was fascinating observing the GP’s accurate diagnoses from analyzing the symptoms of the patient in such a short timeframe. In order to maintain this quality of care, it’s vital to adapt the care model which the NHS currently employs to meet the needs of the people, just as stated in the NHS 5 year plan. With such a diverse population and array of medical conditions, it’s imperative that to continue the current year to year increase efficiency the NHS has seen, that we alter the care model.
A glimpse into the world of diabetes was provided via interactions with the patients, as well as by the diabetes nurse who provided the support and the care needed. This helped build upon my knowledge of contributing factors of diabetes including obesity, lifestyles, diet as well as stress. It highlighted that a patient’s mental welfare as well as their physical health must always be taken into account. The role of the pancreas and the importance of insulin control in the human body was intriguing, an areas which I hope to explore further during my studies. With 3.7 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, it’s important we have dedicated professionals in this field. I learned, like any profession, Medicine has its limitations so when unable to cure, the key importance is simply to help the patient manage their condition, improving their quality of life.
Through my observations and experience, I understand that the medical profession comes with its challenges, however the rewards outweigh these. I’m under no misconception that this profession requires dedication, passion and respect. This motivates me to rise to the challenge to contribute to the betterment of our health care system. It’s not just my ability to learn but also the integrity of the profession together with my passion and desire to help others in society which draws me to this profession. For me, medicine isn’t just a career but a life changing opportunity with great responsibility and duty of care for others.
Studying A-level Chemistry and Biology, carrying out practical’s and external research, requiring me to meticulously plan every detail has developed my analytical and organizational abilities. With regularly experiments being set as group work had enhance by inter personal and methodical skills. The successful supervision of online community, OPPO, with several hundred members using the platform gave me the opportunity to exercise my leadership and management skills. My participation in Young Market, a non-profit organization, in school with my peers saw us create our own enterprise over the course of several weeks and working as a team we successfully produce the most revenue. In addition I volunteer as a peer mentor, helping students with their studies. Which I find both, rewarding and enjoyable, helped further my team working and communication skills, with clear channels of communication being key. All of the above skills I consider to be crucial in this professional.
Studying medicine is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have thought long and hard before proceeding with this statement and although it is not without its challenges it’s definitely one of the most rewarding and life changing careers, a profession I wish to be a part of.
