Unit 2 Alexander
Responses to classmates must consist of at least 350 words (not including the greeting and the references), do NOT repeat the same thing your classmate is saying, try to add something of value like a resource, educational information to give to patients, possible bad outcomes associated with the medicines discussed in the case, try to include a sample case you’ve seen at work and discuss how you feel about how that case was handled. Try to use supportive information such as current Tx guidelines, current research related to the treatment, anything that will enhance learning in the online classroom.
While reading the chapter on the Self-Efficacy Theory by Dr. Hayden (Hayden, 2019), I realized that different constructs applied to my personal story. Gastroenterology is one of the most competitive subspecialties in internal medicine (NRMP, 2020). The position offered from various programs is at least 95 percent filled. I have always wanted to become a gastroenterologist ever since I started medical school. When I applied for the first time for gastroenterology training after my internal medicine residency training, I did not match into a program. I was devastated, felt humiliated, and lost my self-confidence. Despite having achievements and awards, I thought I was not good enough to get into a gastroenterology program, and gastroenterology was not the right subspecialty for me. I was about to give up that dream when my mentor, a gastroenterologist, told me not to give up. She is also a world-known hepatologist who was the Chief of Medicine. She said that what happened to me was just a roadblock, and this should not discourage me from what I wanted to be (verbal persuasion). She re-directed my attention to helpful, more successful directions. I attended the annual gastroenterology convention and met other Filipino-American gastroenterologists who succeeded in the US (vicarious experience). The following year, I thought about whether I should apply or not. I have so much anxiety, worry, and fear (emotional state), and lots of doubt; what if I don’t make it again? Despite that, I applied, and this time, I added research publications to my curriculum vitae with the help of my mentor, and I finally got into a program. And the rest is history. Currently, I am a full-time gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist working in the VA, serving the veterans. I love my job; looking back, I would have given up if not for the encouragement from my mentor and seeing how other Filipino-Americans can succeed here in the US.
References
Hayden, J. (2019). Introduction to Health Behavior Theory Third Edition. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
NRMP. (2020, December 3). Press Release: NRMP Medical Specialties Matching Program Appoints 5,208 Residents To Advanced Training Positions. https://www.nrmp.org/press-release-nrmp-msmp-2020/
Sample Answer
Hi Alexander,
Thank you for your exciting discussion on gastroenterology. Indeed, it is one of the competitive specialties in internal medicine. It meets one’s needs of combining technical aspects of medicine and a strong focus on a patient, making it a blending of art and science (“Diagnosing & Gastroenterological Conditions,” n.d). Aspiring to be a gastroenterologist is one of the most significant steps. Gastroenterology starts at the microscopic level of understanding how hormones and neurotransmitters affect gastrointestinal function. Securing a position for various gastroenterology programs is quite competitive, and I agree that the position offered for multiple programs is at least 95 percent filled (NRMP, 2020). People lose self-confidence and get devastated when they lose when they do not match into gastroenterology programs. It takes time and courage to be good enough to get into the program, which will make one feel it is the correct subspecialty. Thanks to your mentor, who told you not to give up as she is a well-known hepatologist and Chief of Medicine and has high experience concerning gastroenterology programs. It is essential to build competency and understand the science relating to disease and dysfunction of organ systems that produce signs and symptoms (“Diagnostic & Gastroenterological Conditions,” n.d). Indeed, what happened to you is just a roadblock and should not discourage you from what you want to be.
According to research performed on the impacts of COVID-19 on pediatric gastroenterology in North America, maximizing education value requires individuals to get involved in decision-making surrounding the timing and the procedures performed and interpretation of findings concerning the gastroenterology field (Mallon et al., 2020). I think it was helpful when she redirected your attention to more successful directions. At last, you attended the annual gastroenterology convention, which helped you meet other gastroenterologists who succeeded in the United States. You need to apply for the program. It would help if you kept off your anxiety, worry, and fear on whether you will not make it again. Eventually, you succeeded in the program, and thanks to your mentor, who was helpful, you are a gastroenterologist.
