Physician assistants (PAs) play a crucial role in the healthcare industry. They help patients access quality medical care and provide direct care to all patients. Healthcare facilities across the country rely on PAs to provide primary health care to patients. Primary care involves patient education, health promotion, health maintenance, disease prevention and diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses. Patient education is one of my motivations for becoming a physician assistant. One of my family members was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus growing up. At the time, none of us fully understood this illness, and as a result, our ability to manage this condition was hampered. As an intern and volunteer in various health facilities, I repeatedly noticed that most patients and their families did not understand the diagnosis they were given. For instance, while working at Empire City Laboratory, I met a patient with kidney failure due to diabetes complications. As I interacted with the patient, I quickly realized that he lacked information about his condition and was therefore not aware of the complications that could arise if he did not follow his doctor’s advice. I provided him with information about his condition and educated him on ways he could better manage his health.
Another motivation for becoming a physician assistant is health promotion. Health promotion involves the introduction of interventions that enable people to take control of their health. One way physician assistants promote health is by creating an environment that promotes health and healing. As PAs constantly interact with patients, they must create environments that prioritize the patient’s well-being and health. Addressing the patient’s concerns creates a healing environment and promotes health. While working at the New York-Presbyterian Methodist hospital, I often shadowed various specialties as they checked on their patients’ progress. During one of these rounds, a patient that had just emerged from surgery expressed concerns that the pain he felt was an indicator that the surgery had not completely gotten rid of his problem. In response, the physician assistant I was shadowing that day listened to all the patient’s concerns, and in a calm voice, explained to the patient that the pain he was experiencing was due to the surgery itself. The way the PA handled this tense situation proves that PAs impact patients’ experiences.
Personal experience has also motivated me to become a PA. I grew up in a low-income family and we could not afford proper medical care. One of my family members was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. Due to the high medical fees needed, we could not provide him with the care he needed, and his condition got worse. Over time, PAs have gained experience working with underprivileged communities without medical insurance. PAs can educate their patients on alternative medical coverage options that ensure all people access quality healthcare. Given my low-income background, I hope to use the position of a PA to equip my patients with information on alternative medical coverage that can help meet their financial needs.
Lastly, I believe that my skills align with the skills needed in a PA. I have strong communication and interpersonal skills, traits necessary to become a successful PA. As physician assistants constantly interact with their patients, it is important that they effectively communicate and listen to their patients’ concerns. The time I have spent working and volunteering in various health facilities has provided me with first-hand experience on how I can navigate challenging and stressful situations. Patients deal with complex health problems that affect their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. As they are prone to outbursts, PAs must remain calm in these stressful situations and offer the patients compassion and understanding. I am detail-oriented, a quality necessary in PAs as they need to accurately note down patients’ conditions and prescribe the correct dosage. I am also a team player and can work with minimal supervision. PAs and doctors cannot be side by side all the time. Therefore, PAs need to carry out their duties with minimal supervision.
Good health is key to the well-being and prosperity of individuals and communities. As a PA, I hope to contribute to the healthcare and well-being of my patients and society at large. I am committed to promoting affordable healthcare, as I will ensure all my patients can access quality medical care regardless of their economic background. I believe that I possess the qualities and skills needed to become a great PA. Granted this opportunity, I will ensure that I can help as many people as possible receive quality healthcare.
