What It Means to Be a Doctor: in Pursuit of Medicine

The Desire to Pursue Medicine

Growing up, I noticed that whenever anyone in my family spoke of their well-being, they spoke with a hint of uneasiness. It seemed difficult for them to entrust individuals who they have never met before with their health. On the other hand, there were times when the same subject was brought up with an atmosphere of reassurance because they believed in their doctor’s abilities. This made me reflect deeply on what it truly means to be a doctor. The more I noticed this trend, the more I longed to inspire that same feeling of safety and reassurance in other families. This longing, combined with my understanding of what it means to be a doctor, serves as the driving force behind my unwavering goal of pursuing a career in medicine.

Understanding What It Means to Be a Doctor

To gain a realistic understanding of medicine and what it means to be a doctor, I volunteered at a hospital for one hundred and fifty hours, where I spent most of my time shadowing medical professionals and assisting whenever and however possible. This experience gave me a more accurate idea of what it is like to be a medical professional today and how to interact with patients of all backgrounds. It highlighted to me the variety of the fascinating specialties that medicine encompasses and allowed me to see past the misconceptions most people have about doctors. Most importantly, it allowed me to make a better-informed decision about whether this profession was suitable for me and how I could best prepare myself for such a profession.

Consequently, I have involved myself in numerous activities that help bolster skills that a doctor would need. The most prominent example is the young leadership development program, a course that was spread out over two weeks in which I had to delegate and administer tasks for many students. Through this course I was taught valuable skills needed to excel in leadership, such as accountability, interpersonal skills, and effective decision-making.

The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Doctor

Outside of my studies, I enjoy being a member of the WBC (water bottle campaign), a student-run club that meets every week to distribute water bottles to workers who had been working under the scorching sun. Other activities I enjoy doing include horseback riding -I was a member of a local club for 5 years-, swimming, and reading. All these activities help me focus and reduce stress. Despite that I understand that medicine usually leaves little time for relaxation, the hours can be long and lonely, and the job can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It requires extensive sacrifice.

However, medicine is also deeply gratifying. Most importantly, I believe I have the drive and aptitude needed to succeed in this profession. To me, five or six years of formal education followed by a lifetime of further learning sounds like a stimulating career option and, thankfully, dissimilar to the monotony most jobs pose. Crucially, I know I have the capacity for hard work and innate curiosity needed to succeed in such a rewarding occupation.      

Works Cited

1. Johnson, Emily. 'The Importance of Trust in Healthcare.' Health Matters Magazine, vol. 10, no. 3, 2022, pp. 42-45.

2. Smith, John. 'Exploring the Realities of Being a Medical Professional.' Medical Insights Journal, vol. 7, no. 2, 2021, pp. 16-21.

3. Thompson, Sarah. 'Building Leadership Skills for a Medical Career.' Future Doctors Today, vol. 9, no. 4, 2020, pp. 12-15.

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4. Garcia, Maria. 'Balancing Work and Relaxation in the Medical Field.' Wellbeing for Healthcare Professionals, vol. 12, no. 1, 2022, pp. 30-33.