Shadowing Update

            Over the last few weeks, I have been able to continue my shadowing hours at Finch Family Medical Care in Bristol, VA. As of now, I have completed 15 hours total of shadowing, and I am beginning to feel sad that this experience will soon be coming to an end. For these last visits to the clinic, I have been able to shadow not only the Physician and the Nurse Practitioner, but also so of the Certified Nurse’s Assistants and Radiology Technicians that work there as well. I had never really thought about shadowing nurses since I have always been interested in becoming a provider, however, when the opportunity was offered to me, I felt it would be good exposure to another aspect of the medical field. I have most definitely gained a new appreciation for everyone who works in the office because if even a single link was missing, the care provided would not be offered in a viable manner. Every job, from the secretaries to the nurses and finally to the providers is essential in order for a patient to receive the best possible care.

            I have been able to see the nurses collect the patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, temperature, etc.). I was also able to witness them performing a PT/INR check for cancer patients or others who generally have very thin blood or are on blood thinners. This test tells them how long it takes for the patient’s blood to clot. They then report this number to one of the providers and they decide whether or not it warrant a change in medication dosage.

            I also shadowed them while they were scheduling radiological tests, and scheduling appointments with other specialists throughout the area. It was very interesting for me to see how interconnected all of the medical practices in our area are. I feel that one issue that plagues many Pre-Med and Med school students is the idea that they are so much better simply because they do or do not have the MD after their name. I think that everyone who is entering a medical profession should be required to shadow medical personnel of all types to see that one person does not make the team. In order to provide true medical care, it takes everyone doing their jobs and working together.

I have gained so much more respect for every piece of the medical team through this shadowing experience,  and I cannot wait to continue on this journey of shadowing and learning more about every aspect of what I hope to do in the future, and learning more about the terrific, hardworking people I will have the opportunity to work with once I get there.