Although I didn’t have the traditional pre-med hospice experience, I still believe that I have learned so much over the past year. I have gained a deeper understanding of myself, of the dying process, and of what it means to work in the medical field. I did not have the chance to work with a patient, but if the opportunity were to present itself, I would certainly feel prepared enough to do so.
I believe that this program has so much value for a medical school application, in that it is applicable and it shapes the perspectives and goals of future medical professionals towards a more holistic and empathetic side of medicine. In undergraduate school and medical school, students are normally not trained in this aspect of medicine, even though it is one of the most crucial and difficult aspects. It requires an immense amount of emotional strength and a profound understanding of human nature. People often forget that a large part of medicine requires interaction with patients and the families of patients. Yes, treating patients is a part of the medical profession, but there is also an emotional and spiritual aspect of it that is just as, if not more important. I believe that this program is so incredibly beneficial in that it provides us students with the opportunity to gain patient-experience, to learn bedside etiquette, to determine if we can handle this side of medicine, and to ultimately determine if we want to continue with our projected career path.
Throughout my time with this hospice program, I have been continuously reminded that we are all humans and that our emotions and experiences are what connect us to each other – so we can’t simply ignore this in medicine. I feel as though I have gained so much emotional maturity, despite the fact that I didn’t have direct contact with patients. Through our training and weekly prompts, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to provide hospice care and the importance of embracing and accepting the dying process. I realized that I am more than capable of handling this aspect of the medical field, and I believe that I am a much more cultured person because of these experiences. I can confidently say that I have grown as an individual, as a student, and as a future medical professional.
With regards to how my hospice work has affected my sense of vocation, I feel that my work has allowed me to truly contemplate what is important to me and to determine what a meaningful life looks like for me. It has provided me with clarity that working in the medical field is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. My hospice work has given me the space and time to realize that working in the medical field is so much more meaningful than what meets the eye – medicine is more than just the fundamental task of treating patients. It requires emotional perseverance, empathy, and thick skin. Dr. Puri mentions that “this is difficult work”, which has become clear to me through both my own experiences and the experiences of others within this field of work. This work is challenging emotionally, physically, and mentally, but I know that I am ready for it. Thanks to my experiences in the pre-med hospice program, medicine is even more meaningful to me than it was before.