How did your personal and professional background impact how you decided to interact with the patient?  

Discussion 2 of Week 3: Ethics

The combination of my professional and personal background influenced the way I interacted during the simulation with the patient. My experience as a medical professional who treats patients with diverse backgrounds allowed me to understand and empathize with the patient. My past experiences helped me identify which questions needed to be asked in order to accurately assess the patient’s condition and determine an appropriate course of action. My medical training enabled me to clearly explain concepts so the patient can understand treatment options. On a more personal level, my upbringing gave me insight into how cultural beliefs can impact one’s willingness or reluctance when it comes to seeking out medical care; this knowledge made it easier for me to build trust between myself and the patient so that they would feel comfortable discussing any issues they may have been hesitant about initially. These factors allowed me to take a caring and informed approach with my patient, despite their initial hesitations.