How does one say this???

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Working with Alzheimer?s disease patients and their spouses illustrated a difference between taking care of patients because it is a job, versus taking care of patients in whose health you have emotional investment.

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Don't make a big complicated statement. Say what you explained to us at the end.

Say:
Being a physcian is more than just a job or career. It's a greater calling to serve those who are ill and the families who also suffer. My experiences with Alzheimer's have helped me to realize that I develop personal and emotional bonds with the patients and their families. My desire to alleviate the suffering and illness is the main impetus of why I believe being a physician is a greater calling. When we do accomplish our goals of reducing pain or alleviating disease, the rewards are enormous.


I hope this helps. I like to talk during the interviews, and I completely understand where you're coming from. I did my PhD in Alzheimer's and know first hand the challenges of caring for these patients and family.

 

I tried Tweetie, but I am now blinded to my own thoughts by Ophtho's elegant paraphrase. Dammit.

 

it's interesting how u did phd in neuro stuff yet u're studying ophth... why the change?

 

Note that the eyes are a part of the central nervous system and the sensory systems are a huge part of Neuroscience. The Neuroscience professor I did much of my undergrad research with does most of his work in sensory physiology work.

So it's not really a change, just a specialty within the interdiciplinary realm that is Neuroscience.

 

true...but i'd figure he'd go into neurology/neurosurgery or soemthing.

 

Originally posted by Yogi Bear
it's interesting how u did phd in neuro stuff yet u're studying ophth... why the change?
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I feel there is more research potential in degenerative retinal diseases than the "other" neuroscience fields. There is so much we have yet to learn about the neurosensory pathway. Remember that the eye is the window to the brain; thus, I'm not leaving my neuroscience roots. I did my PhD in molecular neuroscience. So it's easy to be able to pursue virtually any area of neuroscience.

I didn't go into neurosurgery because I felt that it would be difficult to be both a competent neurosurgeon and academic due to the greater demand in the OR. As for neurology, I find it very depressing because we don't have many good interventions for the most serious neurological diseases; this will likely change with developments and progress in the field however.

In addition, I really enjoy ophthalmology. Patients are very happy with what we can do for them, even if it's giving out a simple pair of glasses! There are multiple surgical and medical interventions possible. Because the demands to be in the OR are not intensive, there's more time to pursue academic interests.

 

It if were me I'd say this....

In contrast to a "job" which gives only the means to feed and shelter my body, medicine offers sustenance for the soul and food for an ever inquisitive mind. Working with Alzheimer's patients gave me a taste of such total fulfillment, an idea of what it means to have all my intellectual and personal needs met.

... or something like that.

I'm a big believer in being as brief as posible while getting the point accross.

Good luck

 

jotting this all down for future reference.

 

Is this going to haunt me later?

 

no no, nothing like that.