Shadowing Essay

My first healthcare related experience, shadowing Dr. Osman at his dental offices, fortified my passion for

I don’t come from a background that is heavily associated with medicine, nor have I ever really been immersed in a medical setting. As a result, I do not have a first-hand experience of what it is like to practice medicine. However, since my early years,

I have shadowed two physicians during my pre-medical years. These experiences have significantly shaped the type of physician I want to be in the future. Not in the sense of a medical specialty, but rather in the sense of demonstrating a clear compassion and understanding for my patients.

Since my summer term freshman year, I have been periodically shadowing Oscar Habhab, MD and Joseph Keenan, DO in the emergency room. Along with gaining more medical knowledge, I continue to shadow them in order to gain a better understanding of the personality required to become a successful physician.

Discovery Program at Grady Memorial Hospital has inspired me to pursue an career in the medical field. Shadowing professions has helped to expand my knowledge about various jobs in the medical field. I got to experience how it's like in a hospital setting, witnessing a death from a cardiac arrest, seeing how a lumbar puncture procedure is done, and hear incoming patients through the dispatcher.

For my mentor project, I chose to shadow Dr. Kristen James, D.O., a young emergency room Physician (approximately 33-34) who works in the E.R. at Tenova North Knoxville Medical Center. The length of all emergency room shifts are twelve hours—7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., or 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.— but for the sake of the well being of my mind and body, I only shadowed for a half of a shift (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). I had previously shadowed my father in the same emergency room for a twelve hour shift and I knew that I definitely did not have the stamina to make it through another one with a clear mind or comfortable feet. During this essay, I will be tying in some useful comparisons between shadowing my father vs. shadowing

The goal and purpose of her shadowing experience with me was to place her in a clinical environment so that she can find out what the career is all about, clarify and validate any initial impressions, help her to understand the realities and limitations of medicine, discover any likes and dislikes, test her level of commitment, and to improve the articulation of her goals. Shari was able to witness firsthand the day-to-day responsibilities of a Pediatrician. This included observing the physician-patient

The goals that I hope to achieve through this shadowing is to fulfill a portion of the hours of shadowing required by t Virginia Commonwealth University for a student on the Pre-Medicine track. In addition to that, I believe this experience will allow me to understand if a healthcare related career would be a proper choice for me, it has been my lifelong dream to become a doctor and to be of service to the world from a very young age.

During my internship, I had a patient newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He and his family came from a rural area and did not have enough knowledge about the disease. Seeing that, I took the time to educate them about his condition and the details of his care.A year later I received a phone call from this patient’s family thanking me for what I did, and consulting me for a minor illness that he encountered at that time. Although they knew I was a junior doctor, they have valued my opinion. I felt appreciated and exhilarated to experience such a satisfying moment. Learning medicine in Sudan was challenging, being in a country with a culturally diverse population and limited resources doctors are confronted countless times by the lack of diagnostics, medications and even hospital beds. Therefore, patient care necessitates sharp physicians who rely on their fierce clinical sense. Throughout the years I realized how important it is for a physician to build such a firm clinical background. It is stunning how minor changes in clinical signs and symptoms could lead to different interpretations from one patient to another. Every case was challenging and mysterious, nonetheless I incredibly enjoyed the intellectual stimuli and the excitement of solving clinical puzzles and interacting with patients. Additionally, I believe I have an inquisitive nature, and I resolved to take on the intellectual challenges offered. This along with my intense passion will guide me to

I shadowed Dr. Roisin Connolly, a physician-scientist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, because I wanted to familiarize myself with different branches of oncology. I observed her communicate negative prognoses to her patients with compassion, and apply her own research on adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy directly to patient care. I found it extremely gratifying to see scientific knowledge directly translated to benefit patients. Knowing that I was interested in cancer research, she gave me publications on novel chemotherapy regimens to read, and always took the time to explain the logic behind her diagnoses. This shadowing experience allowed me to integrate academic research with clinical medicine.

With technology always changing and improving, these professionals constantly have to take classes, learning how to work with these databases. For example, a CNA, Melissa Rodrigues, was required to take three weekend classes to learn how to use a new EHR database effectively. Also, to keep their certification, physician assistants must complete 100 hours of continuing education every 2 years. Another requirement that just began in 2014 is that a recertification exam is required every ten years to keep a PA license. Many jobs require relocation, but as a PA, it isn’t common. Usually a person can find a job in this field almost anywhere there are hospitals, doctor’s offices, or people in need of medical attention.

When a patient is admitted into a hospital, it is vital for him to trust his caretaker and to feel comfortable. The one person that can help the patient in this way is a physician assistant. For a physician assistant to become successful, he or she must display the intellectual qualities of a physician and the nurturing qualities of a nurse. A physician assistant requires a wide skills range, proper education, potential employment options, and the personal qualities to become successful.

Physician Assistants are also known as a PA’s; they practice medicine under the direction of physicians and surgeons. They formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injures and illness, and provide treatment. Physician Assistants also evaluate and treat patients under the supervision of doctors and surgeons. A Physician Assistants is a graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant educational program who is nationally certified and state- licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. Core tasks of a Physician Assistant are they take medical histories and examine patients. They Interpret lab test and make diagnoses, Treat minor injuries with stitches, splints, casts, and prescribes certain medications, The

had stood there for a few seconds he stated that he had to go because

I have been living in the United States and preparing myself to continue my journey in medicine. To this end, shadowing various doctors in the Washington, DC metropolitan area; has introduced me to the American health care system and also enabled me to keep my direct patient care knowledge current.