The R.O.A.D. to Success
Today in America, one prominent field is always in need of new workers: the medical field. The demand for physicians has steadily increased over the past few decades. Logically, this makes sense considering that the United States’ population has increased by nearly 70 million people in a span of 30 years (“Population”). Patients are limited to the doctors that are employed within a convenient distance; with a limited number of doctors being put out every year (approximately 25,000), hospitals are providing more with less (Cauchon). With 131 accredited medical schools just in the US alone (“Medical Schools”), how is there still a shortage of doctors? The number of retiring doctors is proportionate to the number of new doctors, but still, the percent of undergraduate students that continue their education to pursue a medical degree is low. Many people fear patient interaction; some fear the thought of handling another’s life. Some people simply do not wish to remain in school for up to another ten years. These are quite general, but for the passionate student, there is a choice of career for everyone. Students should be willing to explore all the possibilities, and also understand that the journey is a long one. There are many different medical careers with many distinct qualities. Prospective doctors should consider these distinct qualities. A critical quality, dichotomized by radiology and dermatology, is patient interaction—direct or indirect.
Most students going into medicine may hear an acronym on their journey of fulfillment: R.O.A.D.: Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, and Dermatology. Typically, standard physicians work up to or even more than sixty hours per week (Occupational). The R.O.A....
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I began my college career unsure of the path ahead of me. I knew I had a passion for medicine, however, I did not know which direction I would take. With the expansive amount of options offered within the fields of science and medicine, it was difficult to narrow down exactly what direction I wanted to take. I gained some clarity the summer of my sophomore year when I stayed at a close friend’s home, whose father, a practicing Medical Physician, became somewhat of a mentor to me. The passionate way in which he discussed the practice of medicine led me to develop an interest in pursuing a career as a physician. He explained that a career in the medical field was about responsibility, the responsibility to work with all members of the healthcare team for the well-being of the patient as well as their family
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“We look for medicine to be an orderly field of knowledge and procedure. But it is not. It is an imperfect science, an enterprise of constantly changing knowledge, uncertain information, fallible individuals, and at the same time lives on the line.” There is more to being a great physician than having intellect, clinical experience, and competence in the medical field. A doctor must be daring and genuinely driven to positively impact a patient’s life. A doctor needs stand tall, even in the face of uncertainty.
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Modern medicine is capable of treating a tremendous range of human disease and injuries, but the usefulness of all medical specialties depends on accurate diagnosis. Virtually every conceivable medical specialty relies on radiological technologies to provide formal diagnoses, making radiology one of the most important of all medical specialties. Radiologists enjoy some of the best working conditions in modern medicine and typically experience very positive employment conditions. Consequently, their services are generally in very high demand, with many starting out with six-figure annual incomes immediately after completion of their professional training.
In order to determine whether or not clinical medicine was the right career for me, I started shadowing Dr. Richard Turner in the ER. Through my experiences with him, I learned that medicine is a problem solving process. As I watched, he would take a patient's history and try to piece together the correct diagnosis by deciding which scenarios were more likely than others. I was attracted by the dynamic nature of each patient's diagnosis and the necessity for an open mind. My hobby of flying has taught me to look at everything in life with a new perspective and to assess the situation from as many angles as possible. Watching Dr. Turner has confirmed my perception of a medical career and the nature of the work involved. Since I love puzzles and problems, the problem solving aspect also increased my desire to become a physician.
There are several qualities to have to be successful in college. These qualities can range from attending class to going above and beyond what’s expected. Success comes from the journey taken or the path chosen. Success also comes from being prepared. As a student, I must step up to the challenge and find the path to success along the way. Several ways I define success is to uphold academic integrity, have the ability to prioritize, and to motivate myself to stay on top of what needs to be accomplished.
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Unlike the older, baby boomer generation of physicians that proceeded them, those of the millennial generation, fresh out of medical school or in their first five years of practice, are moving toward some surprising—and perhaps not so surprising— trends and inclinations in the medical community.
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Over the last years, attention to public health issues has been increasing as well as aspirations to high health standards. Medical professions are in high demand because of the need of constant improvements of the health care system. The medical field offers a wide range of valued career paths and opportunities that differentiate by their responsibilities, obligations, educational requirements, and salary. When considering a career in health care, it is very important to analyze all the aspects involved and then determine the choice that best fit the person needs.