Patient Interview Essay

I recall an event where I was asked to volunteer to attend a patient who only spoke Nepali and refused to talk to anyone in the hospital. As I arrive into the room and I start to greet her gently in Nepali by saying “Namaste”, the patient smiles and feels that she can trust me. As I stand beside her, she explains to me why she chose to not call anyone in the event of emergency. Additionally, she explains that’s she cannot trust any of the doctors because she can’t really understand what message they are trying to convey. She feels ashamed that her daughter might judge her for being an alcoholic. I listen silently and I ask her a few medical questions under the supervision of Dr. A. Zuckerberg at the University of Colorado Hospital. I sit down

beside her and explain to her the procedure of alcohol detox and also present to her some information on how she could minimize her drinking habits. I convince her that she needs to call her daughter because her daughter is the only person that would be able to drive her home safe.

I knew that my patient confided her fears and was able to help me transition the information smoothly. This experience was phenomenal and I felt very accomplished that day. I knew that I cooperated with the physician, the patient, the caregiver and the security officer and made a difference in my patient’s life. Had I not participated in her care plan, the patient was very determined to fight the security officer and leave the hospital without receiving any treatment. This experience has been very rewarding and I am very excited to be in the field of medicine. This excitement hasn’t died down even for a single moment in the past five years. I am even more committed to the career of osteopathic medicine now that my interests are well established. Community service gives me a sense of altruism. The identification of this value has been very meaningful to me. I want contribute to the betterment of the society by giving my time and contributing to the issues that affect our society. Interacting with several patients from various ethnicities on a daily basis has given me insight into the true meaning of

diversity. It has helped me become culturally competent. I understand the complexity language barriers present and I know how to tackle those barriers in a very effective manner. I believe that service in terms of medical care should comprise of care, trust, environment, and interpersonal relationships. My diverse experiences and beliefs will allow me to bring in experiences and knowledge of working with patients from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I know that when my goals are realized, I will be able to provide something meaningful to all of society. I participate in fostering cohesiveness in my community; I believe in empowering individuals no matter what their socioeconomic status and appreciate lifelong learning and teaching.