As a child, I was particularly fond of hospital-based reality television shows. Although ordinary today, 15 years ago they were a novelty. I enjoyed watching a show that was based at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. I was drawn to the portrayal of the lives of the medical staff in that hospital. I admired the way physicians interacted and cared for their patients with compassion. I was inspired by the nobility of the profession and the ability of a physician to change lives. It was my first exposure to medicine and this sparked my desire to become a doctor. Fast forward 15 years and I am applying for residency in family medicine. Throughout these years I have focused my education and experiences to better understand the world of medicine. My undergraduate training in life sciences, my volunteering experiences are reflective of my motivation and desire for a career in medicine. …show more content…
It was my first clinical rotation and an intellectually stimulating and rewarding experience. I had the privilege of interacting with patients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with a wide range of medical problems. It was gratifying to meet men, women, and children of all ages during this 6-week rotation, getting to know them and developing a strong rapport. It made me appreciate the value of empathy and good bedside manners that are required to be a good family physician. My experiences in nursing homes during this rotation made me aware of the importance of caring for our geriatric population. I had the opportunity to utilize my basic sciences knowledge and efficiently apply it clinically. It made me realize the importance of having a methodical approach to establishing a diagnosis. Throughout this rotation, I also had the chance to observe the intricacies of family medicine as a specialty, which drew me closer to it as a career