Becoming a doctor

Becoming a doctor is more than studying for 6 years in medical school; it is more about your interactions with patients and colleagues. As I envision my future role as a healthcare practitioner, I see myself as "Dr. Sithole," a physician who exemplifies compassion, effective communication, teamwork, and ethical decision-making. These competencies are essential in building trust with patients and fostering collaborative relationships with colleagues, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more fulfilling medical career. 

Compassion is one of the most important traits I will have as Dr. Sithole, particularly in the palliative care section, which I am presently shadowing at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. Palliative care entails assisting patients who are frequently at their most vulnerable life phases. These patients need more than just medical care since they are delicate individuals on both a physical and emotional level. Having shadowed in this area, I have a better knowledge of compassion in medicine. It has brought to mind the original reason I enrolled in this course, to compassionately and understandingly care for people who are most in need. In order to make each patient feel appreciated and supported, I, Dr. Sithole, will treat them with care and respect. Since patients feel cared for in a real way, this method not only increases patient happiness but also benefits their general health. 

Effective communication will be another important competency I will demonstrate daily as Dr. Sithole. Whether explaining a complex diagnosis to a patient or discussing treatment plans with colleagues, I will ensure that information is conveyed clearly and empathetically. My own experience with mental health has further solidified my belief in the importance of this skill. Recently, I visited campus health to collect medication I had neglected to take for two months. The psychiatric nurse who attended to me made me aware of the consequences of defaulting on my medication and the importance of taking care of my mental health. What struck me most was her willingness to share her own story of dealing with depression. Despite it being our first encounter, her openness and vulnerability empowered me to take my mental health seriously. This experience reinforced the significance of effective communication in healthcare, where sharing personal stories can inspire and motivate patients to take charge of their well-being. As Dr. Sithole, I will strive to connect with patients on a personal level, using my own experiences to build relationships and trust.

Healthcare is a multidisciplinary field that requires the competency to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Interdisciplinary teams play a vital role in managing the growing complexity of patient care, coordinating and attending to various patient requirements, staying up to date with emerging technologies, satisfying payor demands, and providing treatment in a variety of venues. Because of the varied educational backgrounds and professional experiences of its members, they utilize less duplicated or duplicate services and come up with more original solutions to challenging issues. As an aspiring doctor, in my daily interactions with nurses, specialists, and other healthcare professionals, I will foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. 

 In conclusion, putting empathy, communication, collaboration, and moral judgment first is important for becoming a medical doctor. These skills are essential to both developing a fulfilling and influential medical career as well as serving as the cornerstone of excellent medical practice.

REFERENCES 

Greiner, A.C. and Knebel, E. (2003). The core competencies needed for health care professionals. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221519/.

CINDY'S REFLECTION

1.        Hearing Cindy’s experience with the healthcare with one of her babies was devastating because I can imagine having a sick child and you’re overly worried about whether the baby is going to get better or worse. One thing she emphasized was communication between the doctor and the family(which was her in this case). I think the giveaway of this was as we are going to be future doctors, we sometimes have to put ourselves in the patient’s shoes or the family’s shoes and treat them the way we would like to be treated by healthcare professionals if tables were turned.

2.        The actions of healthcare drained her emotionally and physically. She did not know what was going on with her baby and the doctors kept her in the dark instead of informing her about the procedures they were taking to save the life of the baby. I think one thing that outraged her is that they pointed out that Cindy was not the biological mother of the child, giving her no right to ask what was going on with her baby. This of course was not right because she was the mother of the child, she was the caregiver of the child and had every right to know what was going on. She was having sleepless nights not knowing what was going on with her baby and it affected her physically and emotionally.

3.        To provide patient-centered care is to involve the patient and the family of the patient in building a plan that will save the patient’s life or better their health. It considers the patient’s concerns, needs, and values in their care plan. For example, you cannot build a plan that will affect the patient’s whole life without hearing the impacts of the plan and how they feel about it.

4.        It increases the interaction between the doctor and the patient and leads to better. values, and circumstances when developing their care plan. By including patients in decision-making and actively listening to them, healthcare practitioners may ensure that patients' perspectives are heard and valued. Since every patient's experience with sickness is unique, patient-centered treatment is crucial because it recognizes that what works for one individual may not be appropriate for another. Healthcare professionals can deliver treatments that not only follow clinical best practices but also take into account the patient's values and preferences. Increased patient happiness, better treatment compliance, and better health results are the results of this. A sense of collaboration is created when the patient's opinions are taken into consideration, enabling them to actively participate in their own care. Moreover, it builds trust by instilling a sense of worth and respect in patients.

5.        The actions of healthcare providers can have a profound emotional impact on patients, often shaping their experience of illness and care. Patients may already be vulnerable, anxious, or afraid, and even routine interactions can intensify these emotions. Whether through poor communication, perceived indifference, or lack of empathy, healthcare providers can unintentionally contribute to feelings of frustration, fear, or helplessness. As future healthcare providers, it is crucial to recognize the emotional weight of our actions and strive to minimize any negative impact. We can do this by fostering clear, compassionate communication, ensuring that patients feel heard and understood. Taking the time to explain procedures, diagnoses, and treatment options in a way that respects their emotional and cognitive state can alleviate confusion and anxiety. Moreover, empathy is key. Acknowledging patients’ fears, addressing their concerns with patience, and validating their emotions can create a sense of trust and safety. Being mindful of our tone, body language, and the language we use also plays a role in creating a positive atmosphere. By treating patients as whole individuals with emotional as well as physical needs, we can minimize the emotional toll of their healthcare experience and contribute to their overall well-being. Compassionate care ultimately leads to better outcomes for both patients and providers.

6.        It can lead to the patient having a negative mindset about healthcare. For example people say that all nurses can be very rude and judgemental to patients, therefore some people may fear going to clinics because they are afraid of being judged and being ill-treated. This can negatively impact their health, sometimes leading to life-changing illnesses that would have been prevented if the patient was going to primary care regularly. We can start by developing patient-centred care plans and start advocating for helpless patients.

7.        Paediatric care comes with its own unique set of challenges. Young children often have difficulty expressing their symptoms or emotions clearly, making it harder to diagnose and treat them. Medical settings and procedures can also be scary for children, leading to heightened fear and anxiety. Additionally, children’s different stages of physical, emotional, and mental development mean that care needs to be customized to suit their specific needs. On top of this, the involvement of parents, who must often be present and give consent, adds an extra layer of complexity to providing care.

Children can experience pain from several sources in medical settings. Procedures like injections and blood tests are often painful and scary for them. Those with chronic conditions may face ongoing pain that affects their overall well-being. Additionally, frequent hospital visits can cause emotional pain, making children feel isolated and distressed.

To address these challenges, healthcare providers can adopt compassionate approaches. Using simple language and visuals to explain treatments helps children understand and feel less afraid. Managing pain through techniques like numbing creams, distractions (such as toys or videos), and relaxation exercises can make procedures less painful. Involving parents in the care process provides emotional support for both the child and family. Lastly, creating a welcoming, non-intimidating environment in healthcare settings can help children feel more comfortable and at ease.