I first heard about this program through my school’s advisor. As a current double major in medical sciences and public policy whose interested in the field of medicine I really wanted a hands-on experience where I could learn about inequalities in healthcare and work with a different population. The first thing I noticed during my first few shadowing shifts is how complex the patient-physician dynamic is. The doctors really made it a point to not only understand the complete health of their patients but also their personal lives and external issues they may be facing. I could truly see the integration of a patient’s health with their access to resources like education, food, and money. I loved how the doctors and the staff members saw the importance of going the extra step to truly deliver the best care possible.
As I was volunteering through this program, those shadowing experiences were always at the back of my mind. they really helped put things in perspective when it was my turn to talk to patients and help them schedule their appointments. I had to consider factors that I had never thought would be an issue to others such as transportation or location or even health care provider since some places didn't accept certain insurances. This was not only an eye-opening experience but sparked a further passion in me to explore public health policy and how we can make changes at a structural level to create sustainable change. It also made me research more into HealthEquity and how other factors can influence your health. As a VIP it's truly been an invaluable experience as I got to see a different side of health care. Even though we don't build long-lasting relationships with patients, I love how I can still make an impact in their lives by helping them schedule their appointments and improving their quality of care.
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