Personal statment for a physician job - Essay Example

Personal ment Relevant Significant Achievement Give an example of a non-academic achievement explaining both the significance to you and the relevance to foundation training. (6 points) During my period of study at the university I took an interest in playing lacrosse. The other members of the team had started playing lacrosse at a young age. This gave them better skills than me. Frustration at the lack of these skills prompted me to use every opportunity I got in enhancing my skills, in addition to the normal team practice time. Over a period of time, this extra effort paid off with improved lacrosse playing skills. This got me more playing time during the actual competitions. During the final lacrosse competition season of my study period, all the effort that had been put in by me was recognized in the form of the Most Improved Player being awarded to me. This experience of mine has demonstrated the benefits of perseverance and patience, which will be useful in employing emerging medical science developments in the care of my patients. (1) Academic Achievements Describe an example (not necessarily clinical) of a time when you had to deal with pressure OR overcome a setback/challenge. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points) During my first year at medical school my father went down suddenly with a terminal illness. His illness required me to take ten days off from medical school to be at his side for a brief period. This break from my studies set me behind by three final examinations, which had to be made up. While concentrating on this, the news arrived that my father had passed away. This meant that another two examinations would have to be taken in the week, to enable me to attend the funeral. The emotional strain of losing my father, coupled with the additional effort required was the challenge that confronted me. I faced the challenge by blanking out the emotional loss of my father, and concentrated on the examinations. I succeeded in completing the semester, and attending my father’s funeral. Focus on core issues leads to successful outcomes. (2) The patient as the central focus of care Describe an example from your clinical experience where your behavior enhanced the experience of the patient as the central focus of care. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points) It was during my clerkship in emergency medicine that I was assigned to a victim of an automobile collision, who required a CT scan, but refused it, as she was claustrophobic. The busy emergency ward made it difficult for the physician in charge to spend enough time in attempting to change the mind of the patient. My decision to attempt this was made then, as the CT scan was essential for proper evaluation of her condition. I sat by her side, and gently explained the situation, and the requirement for the CT scan, and the possible consequences of refusing the CT scan. I offered to be by her side, and see her through the CT scan process. This gradually put her at ease, and she consented for the CT scan. It then became possible for me to take her over to radiology for the CT scan. (3) Working Effectively with Others Describe an example from your own experience (either clinical or non clinical) that has increased your understanding of the importance of team working. What was your role and contribution to the team? (6 points) While at the emergency department I came across this situation, wherein teamwork was responsible for the survival of a patient in an acute critical condition. An emergency ward is a place of hustle and bustle, with each member of the emergency team steeped in work all the time. I was alone with a patient doing the interviewing prior to the clinical examinations, when the patient suddenly went in for cardiac arrest. I reacted promptly by calling a code blue, and started the resuscitation procedure. In no time I found myself surrounded by the rest of the medical team, and they went into action to save the patient. The combined and coordinated efforts of the medical team pulled the patient out of the emergency situation, and stabilized the patient. My role in the team effort was the immediate alert, and the starting of the resuscitation procedures. (4) Professionalism Describe an example of a situation where you had to demonstrate your professionalism and/or integrity. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points) I was on duty one Saturday night to Sunday morning, and one of my colleagues arrived for work on Sunday morning inebriated, and reeking of liquor that had been consumed in an all night drinking binge. My professional concerns were that he was in no state to provide proper care for the patients, and particularly so, where use of his hands and coordination were involved. I discreetly called him aside. I advised him that it was better that he went home, and allowed me to continue on duty, though I was tired from the overnight duty stint I had just finished. He agreed and left for home, giving me the satisfaction of having prevented any possible risks to the patients from my colleague in an inebriated state. In this manner I used my professionalism to prevent possible risks to the patients, and also maintained the integrity of the hospital. (5) Organizational Skills Describe an example of how your organization and planning skills have contributed to a significant personal achievement in the last five years. What did you learn from this which is relevant to foundation training? (6 points) As a student volunteer at a local hospital, I was given the privilege of shouldering greater responsibilities. This was on the basis of my capacity for organizing and planning demonstrated during my early student years. I was appointed as the student volunteer coordinator in the surgery department. This responsibility required me to arrange and schedule the activities of my student colleagues. I had to coordinate with the medical staff, the hospital administration and the university authorities, and plan and organize the activities of the group. This activity enhanced my multi-tasking and time management skills. I have learnt that the modern day practice of medicine calls for greater skills in organization and planning of patient care. Patient care is becoming more of a multi-disciplinary team work, and organizing and planning patient care requires skills, which can be acquired through actual experience as a student. (6) Works Cited 1. Pastores, S. M. & Halpern, N. A. “Acquisition strategies for critical care technology”. Critical care clinics16.4 (2000): 545-560. 2. Davis, K., Schoenbaum, C. S. & Audet, A. “A 2020 Vision of Patient-Centered Primary Care”. Journal of General Internal Medicine 20.10 (2005): 953-957. 3. Bader, K. M. “Gizmos and Gadgets for the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit”. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing 38.4 (2006): 248-260. 4. Turney, S. “Quality patient care is a team effort”. MGMA connexion 5.10 (2005): 5-6. 5. Coulehan, J. “Viewpoint: today’s professionalism: engaging the mind but the heart”. Academic medicine; journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 80.10 (2005): 892-898. 6. Ng, Y. Y. “The development and organization of medical services for the elderly in Hong Kong”. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 16.1 (1987): 31-34. Read More