Throughout the past two semesters I have been able to interact with multiple patients in various settings. Whether it was a phone call or an in person visit I am pleased to have had the privilege to help people at the end of their lives. I have grown into a more caring and empathetic person throughout my time volunteering.
One experience that I believe initially shaped my view on hospice volunteering was a time in which I did not even get to interact with a patient. This was a time that I arrived at a patient’s room and was told that he had passed away just minutes before I came. It wasn’t until then that I understood how quickly life can pass, and that in a matter of minutes everything can change. This experience really framed how I went about the rest of my patient interactions. I had felt more grounded to what I was doing and really understood the type of work I was getting into. From that point forward, I treated every patient interaction is if it may be the last one.
As I continued to volunteer, I started to really understand the value of this hospice program. While all health care providers aim to care for patients, there are big differences between the types and qualities of care. Something that stuck with me was the realization of my own self-centeredness when volunteering. I would sometimes be interacting with an unresponsive or low energy patient and simply just read to them or sit in the room with them. I used to think about how I wish I could do more to help or improve their condition in more ways than just being present. After some weeks of volunteering and answering thought-provoking prompts, I realized that this desire is rooted from selfish intent. The emphasis should not be on what I think is best for the patient, but helping the patient to achieve what they want. My role as a volunteer is not to cure diseases or heal the sick, but to simply be there for people and make a difficult time a bit easier.
Realizing the different mindsets one can have when approaching care is why I believe hospice volunteering is so valuable. As a future physician, I hope to continue to apply this thought process of taking care of patients on their terms. While doctors must be mentally sharp and cunning, the ability to be compassionate and empathetic is equally as important.
Aside from obtaining an improved mindset regarding patient care, this program has helped me grow into a more compassionate person, which I hope to transfer into a healthcare career. I think my vocation towards being a physician has strengthened throughout this experience because of my desire to build connections with patients. I enjoy being able to grow closer to people while also helping them heal. The experiences I have had as a hospice volunteer have only further inspired me to achieve my career goals and I hope to one day serve as a more effective physician because of them.