- I shadowed a worldwide medical professional in Rome, Italy, as part of the Atlantis program for my STEP Signature Project. Over the course of several weeks, I saw patient interactions and hospital procedures, followed doctors in a variety of specialties, and gained knowledge about how healthcare is delivered in the Italian healthcare system. An international viewpoint on medicine and patient care was offered by this whole event.
- Prior to my STEP experience, I mostly saw healthcare through the perspective of American medicine, which is fast-paced, heavily reliant on technology, and frequently constrained by insurance policies. I started to view medicine in Rome as a global discipline that focused more on empathy and human connection than on processes and results. Seeing doctors spend a lot of time with each patient, focusing on communication and trust, made me realize how crucial compassion and cultural context are to providing quality care. My perspective on what it really means to be a doctor has changed as a result of this experience. My understanding of international health systems has grown, and I am now more aware of how many cultures view communication, healing, and well-being.
- Seeing how Italian doctors prioritize their patients was one of the most influential aspects of my assignment. I observed how tone, body language, and attentiveness fostered trust despite language obstacles, demonstrating that empathy is just as important to medicine as knowledge. The cooperative hospital setting, where physicians, nurses, and students collaborated well, taught me as well. This focus on mentoring and teamwork made me realize how crucial cooperation is to providing quality care. Outside of the hospital, learning about Rome’s history and culture helped me better appreciate how society affects health. Speaking with Italian medical students revealed that, in contrast to the frequently insurance-driven American healthcare system, their socialized healthcare system places a higher priority on preventative and community welfare. Living abroad also pushed me out of my comfort zone involving navigating language barriers and new customs strengthened my adaptability and resilience, qualities I’ll carry into my future as a physician.
- This change has a significant positive impact on my career and personal growth. Academically, it strengthened my resolve to study medicine with an emphasis on patient-centered care and cross-cultural understanding. For me, it increased my self-assurance in interacting with people from different backgrounds and overcoming language obstacles. In my career, it motivated me to look for more chances in global health and eventually practice medicine with empathy and cultural competency at the forefront. In the end, this experience strengthened my resolve to become a doctor who heals illness while also comprehending the human condition of each patient, a skill I initially acquired while shadowing in Rome.
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