Sample Personal Statements Page 14
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20IMED Personal Statement
Sir William Osler once said, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician
treats the patient who has the disease.” I believe that the current practice of clinical
medicine is, for the most part, very linear. In fact, most of the progressive programs
these days are adopting the “pathways” system. Basically, a checklist to ensure that
when Mrs. Smith with chest pain comes in, you do X, Y, and Z. Our scientific society
has created an environment where pragmatism reigns supreme. This methodical
approach may sound boring but, in reality, it is truly the most efficient system in which to
practice medicine. In some cases, research studies and evidence-based medicine have
obviated any ambiguity from the equation. The countless hours of study we invest
eventually sink in, until we reach a level of knowledge that is sufficient to be a competent
physician.
However, this is only one dimension of the art of medicine. Every physician must have a
phenomenal fund of knowledge, but once this is achieved, what separates a good
physician from a great physician? The answer is character. The most intelligent person
in the world can walk into a room and tell a patient that they have Diabetes. The patient
can then leave the room feeling safe and secure, or in search of a new physician. The
physician patient relationship is of paramount importance in healthcare. The so-called
“healing touch” is not some magical entity. When a patient has a poor relationship with
their physician they are reluctant to comply with medications, or change their lifestyle.
As physicians it is our duty to do more than carry out the “pathways.” To truly practice
the art of medicine we must be much more than colossal memory banks. We must be
pillars of our community, and properly utilize our knowledge to change the lives of our
patients.
I chose to pursue internal medicine after thoroughly scouring many facets of the medical
profession. Internal medicine encompasses everything I intended to be when I entered
medical school. It is by far the most eclectic field I have experienced. Each day presents
a new challenge. Furthermore, a residency in internal medicine reinforces a stalwart
understanding of the fundamentals of medicine, while affording one the opportunity to
explore countless other avenues via fellowship training.
While studying at Salisbury University in my undergraduate days, I participated in
research involving the Chesapeake Bay Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). I became
proficient at PCR, DNA/RNA isolation, and Northern Blot. During residency I intend to
utilize my skills to aggressively pursue research in the field of infectious disease. I am
particularly interested in the recent increase in the virulence of Clostridium difficile, and
the role of probiotic therapy in attempting to treat this infection. With the evolution of
superbugs, the chasm between resistance and new treatment modalities is growing wider
by the day.
The field of medicine is constantly evolving on multiple fronts. Economics, public
health, research and development, and health access are all in a constant state of dynamic
equilibrium. I anticipate that enormous changes will take place during my career in
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