Internal Medicine – The Beginning of My Career Journey

Since the time I remember, I have always been surrounded by close family members. I have been lucky to be raised in a large family. Although I’ve had the privilege of experiencing many warm relationships, I shared a special bond with my great-grandfather. When he was on his deathbed, many of our friends and family,unkown? came to visit him. I was surprised to see so many people come from far and near just for one day. I asked my father about it and he told me about all the humanitarian work that my great-grandfather had done for the community. His work had directly and indirectly affected the lives of many people, including the ones who visited him. This inspired me and made me realize that one can do so much for people and gain due respect without publicizing oneself. After knowing more about his life, I made up my mind to carry on his legacy through my own career. In addition to this goal, my fascination for the meticulously crafted human body and my medical family background lured me to the world of medicine.

My father always told me, “To be successful, do the things you fear'. Until I decided to pursue my post-graduation outside my home country, in the USA I always wondered what I truly feared. Reading reference books of American authors developed my fascination for the USA medical education system. And after hearing about the experiences of a few of my seniors and friends, it became my goal to be a part of it. I knew it wouldn't be easy staying away from the family, but it would be worth the struggle to experience the academic distinctiveness of the system in the USA. Moreover, the social and cultural diversity would help me grow as an individual. I started to get nervous as I went through the process of moving. Staying away from the family was the toughest part. Doing observerships and working in a very different environment was a challenge that I conquered with time. Growing up in a large family taught me to get along with all kinds of people and that made it easier for me.

I believe that medicine is an art of healing, and Internal Medicine testifies this art in its entirety. It amalgamates medical, emotional, economic, social and religious aspects in the treatment of every individual patient. In the 3rd year of medical school, I accompanied my father to a medical camp, where I saw this patient suspected of tuberculosis. The patient was appalled to hear the news. Surprisingly, he refused treatment. My father had a hard time convincing him that his disease is curable and the government is providing him with free treatment. The patient was in denial and agonizingly requested us not to reveal it to anybody else. My father told me that there are still myths revolving around such diseases in many rural areas throughout the country. I observed my father counsel the patient in a calm, empathetic and compassionate demeanor. He explained to him how the treatment would cure him, as well as, prevent his family from acquiring the disease. This experience taught me the true essence of medicine. I realized that it is an art because it relies upon how skillfully physicians and other medical professionals apply this expertise when managing patients.

Pursuing Internal Medicine would help me expand my knowledge and develop comprehensive clinical skills. At the same time, it will also provide me with plenty of opportunities to provide healthcare services to the underprivileged. Internal Medicine would be the beginning of my journey. I am determined to take my career forward by eventually being a part of a fellowship program. I am yet to discover my field of interest; the one which would again pose a challenge that I would undertake with conviction.