This fall I was given the opportunity to work with residents from the Christ Hospital to start a Tobacco Treatment Group (TTG) here at Crossroad Health Center. I am having an amazing experience working with the TTG but I also have been able to shadow some of the residents. I spent a few of my shifts this fall shadowing Dr. Lauren Wang, a third year family medicine resident. She was always really excited to have students shadowing her and she truly enjoyed teaching us and showing us interesting cases. Shadowing her has definitely been one of my best learning experiences here at Crossroad.
I had never shadowed a resident before. It was interesting learning from someone who had just recently went through medical school and knew exactly what it was like to be in my shoes. She told me a bunch of funny and helpful stories about what it is like to go to medical school and become a resident. Since she was still learning as well, she would sometimes check in with the primary physician and ask him or her questions. She always included me in these informal meetings, which provided me with new insight into what it is really like to practice medicine as a resident.
I saw firsthand how she used her past experiences and knowledge to diagnose patients. When a patient arrived, we would look over the patient’s chart together and she would come up with questions she wanted to ask the patient. Next, we would go into the exam room to see the patient. Dr. Wang was always incredibly welcoming and kind to the patients. She would ask them questions, write down their responses, and always give the patient plenty of time to ask their questions and express their concerns. She never rushed through appointments and always made the time to hear how they were doing in other aspects of their life. After talking with the patient for a while and giving a physical exam, we would leave the room to discuss a potential diagnosis and treatment options. Dr. Wang would ask me questions as well and walk me through the entire diagnosis process. Once she decided on a diagnosis and treatment plan, we would talk it over with the primary physician then go back into the patient room. Dr. Wang would go through her diagnosis and treatment plan thoroughly with the patient, making sure they fully understood everything she was saying.
My experience shadowing a resident was slightly different than the experiences I have had shadowing physicians, but I really enjoyed it and feel that it better prepared me for what lies ahead in my career. I learned so much from Dr. Wang and hope that one day I can be as great of a doctor as she is.
- Rachel Mantyla
