Based on my interactions with patients, thus far, I realized that many patients must overcome challenges, such as language barriers or socioeconomic status, to obtain personalized care that addresses their needs. Therefore, I strive to be a physician that advocates for my patients and empowers them to take control over their own health by providing accessible education, developing trust, and forming meaningful relationships.
I observed this type of doctor-patient relationship in elementary school in my first job, my grandma’s translator at her doctor’s appointments. Our first visit was nerve-racking due to my concern of not translating properly. When the doctor came in with a friendly smile, my nervousness faded. With his patience and respect …show more content…
Through my Community Health Worker (CHW) training, I realized that I wanted to use my role as a doctor to be a patient’s advocate, continue the work I had started as a child with my grandma, and become a bridge between my patients and better health resources. I quickly learned that my role as a CHW was to educate patients about available tools to take more control of their health care. Education fills the gaps in communication between a physician and the patient, and my own education broadened my knowledge of the social determinants of health and challenges to health equity. My patients faced limited access to transportation, healthy and affordable food, or even means to contact their primary care physician. In understanding these challenges, I recognized my potential as a physician. Learning about this aspect of healthcare will allow me to form a personalized plan addressing the needs of my patients and educate them on ways they can be more involved with their …show more content…
We collaborated with the Patient Care Intervention Center to coordinate better care for super-utilizer patients who have had more than ten emergency room visits and are diagnosed with at least two chronic conditions. Mr. W, one of our clients, was an AIDS patient with a severe leg ulcer and mental health diagnoses who also struggled with maintaining a stable home and support from family. Every week I met with Mr. W and was able to gain his trust by getting to know him beyond just a patient. All this time he was reluctant to see anyone after losing so much from negative experiences in the ER. I identified what his needs were and coordinated a plan for him with my team. In six months, we were able to secure him better housing and regular appointments with his PCP. After observing all of the limitations he faced, I became even more passionate about being a physician that could recognize these complex needs to improve quality of