Over the last two years, we have been hammered with case studies and real-clinic applications in the classroom setting. Even out of the classroom in our first two clinical experiences, we have been pushed to think deeper about how we can affect our patients. We reflected during our first year on some professional domains and where we felt we were with them. Undoubtedly, I put “beginner” for mostly all categories. However, we also did the same reflection two years later, with the first-year post side-by-side, and got to witness the changes that we made.
I will start with the most prominent example that comes to mind. I had the misfortune, this past mini-semester, of being assigned almost all of my presentations and assignments on the last two weeks of our eight week semester. With all that we had on our plate, one thing was bound to fall through the cracks and indeed, I had forgotten about an assignment for our MSK course where we essentially had to conduct and write an eval as well as a plan of care with goals, and interventions for the first 6 weeks of therapy.
I did finish the assignment in time. It wasn’t until the next day during a conversation with a classmate about goal-writing that it came to me. There was a time when I could spend an hour deliberating over goals. I can distinctly remember the emotional core of frustration that came with them my first year. Yet with the assignment the night before–I produced the goals almost without thought. I went straight to the patient’s goals, did the whole “SMART” thing, and in a jiffy I had moved on to the plan of care section.
I am of the firm belief that seamlessness is the essence of mastery; when the very nature of our actions becomes second and we can use the leading parts of our mind on the next course of action. When our primary focus is not concerned with the act, but the reason for the act. I also believe the ability to be flexible as an important component in mastery. So my future sights are set on flexibility and adaptability.
To train my adaptability, I vow to be a lifelong learner. I commit to academic and clinical curiosity. I promise to be a teacher but to always be a student as well.
First Wealth Health 