Patient Shadowing

284 Words2 Pages
Having the opportunity to listen to patients during their interactions with physicians while shadowing in primary care practices was most profound to my journey of pursuing a career in medicine. Often the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions are regarded as most important in providing successful care to patients. However, from my experience shadowing, it became apparent that the act of listening to patients is just as essential to the practice of clinical medicine. While shadowing, I was amazed of how often and to the extent patients would disclose their thoughts, feelings, and fears to their physician. I began to understand that to be a physician is much more than treating the body itself, but caring for all of its components— physically,