The Human Element of Medicine

I grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California, which consists of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, to name a few cities. There, seeing homeless people at stoplights was the norm. My dad would point to a homeless person and say, “If you don’t study, you’ll end up like him.” I grew up around the stigma of poverty and mental illness, but I knew we were all the same. We’re all human with unique experiences, though, some are more unlucky than others. Because of this, we can’t just separate ourselves. I think we’re separated because we don’t take the time to listen to their stories or empathize with them, so that makes them foreign to us. They are who they are because they can’t help it, and it’s our duty to do something about it. At least, that’s what I believe in. I want to influence our new generation a new way of thinking. I want to say to them, “If you study well, you will be able to make a better world for this homeless guy.” We have so much potential to do more and do right to make this a better world.

This idea spans life’s horizon. Medicine is missing this element — the human element. Doctors now are bombarded with paperwork, meetings, and new knowledge. When will there be a time when a doctor actually connects with you at your most vulnerable state? All of my experiences with my doctors were horrible. Yeah, they solved my medical problem, but it made me not want to go there anymore because of how impersonal and cold they were. I understand it from their perspective that they don’t want us to come back again and again for minor problems, but our interaction with them is something we’ll never forget since we rely on them so much.

Today was the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) Virtual Fair. Many medical schools in the United States participated. They chat with us and show presentation videos. One video that really touched me was MSU College of Human Medicine’s presentation. MSU teaches the importance of the human aspect of medicine. They emphasize on the feelings and stories of the patient. They remind us that patients are human as well. I want to practice this kind of medicine. I want to be this kind of physician.

I’m not going to end this very well, but I think that’s all I wanted to say today.

Good day.