Self reflective essay OB-GYN

Description: On the second week of my obstetrics and gynecology rotation, I was entitled to join team five in the labor ward. I began my day with the morning report which gave me some idea of labor cases. Then I went to the second floor to join the team. First, I introduced myself and started to get to know the team and establish a professional relationship. They warmly welcomed me to join. The round started and we started seeing patients. Then we came across a very interesting case of a Gravida 5 Para 3 lady with a rare medical condition and a one that according to the doctors should stop her from getting pregnant. She’s a known case May–Thurner syndrome which is a condition caused by an anatomic variant of the right common iliac artery that overlies and compresses the left common iliac vein against the lumbar spine causing iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis. This patient had previous vaginal deliveries; last one was complicated by DVT. The patient had stopped her anticoagulant 48 hours prior. I listened to the consultants discussing that less than 48 hours is the window of her vaginal delivery, and if it was more than that she would require an emergency cesarean section. The discussion was advanced I started taking notes to read more about her condition. The doctor told me to go back and take history of the patient as it is a rare case and would be interesting for my medical education. Once I was prepared well enough, I went to the patient’s room to take a good history of the patient. Yet, I found that the patient’s relatives outside the room, and were very devastated that the patient might have a cesarean section, they asked me questions that I was not able to answer as I had limited scope of knowledge and found this situation challenging as I did not want to lose patient trust. So I rushed to give them safe answers about the condition and the possible desicions to be taken by the team. Reflection: While I recognized my strengths to assist as a medical professional, the limitations inherent in my role as a student became evident. As a 5th-year student, I realized that I could not extensively respond to the parents as the information they sought was beyond my scope of practice. Moreover, the situation prompted an in-depth reflection on the importance of understanding individuals’ emotions when attending to multifaceted situations. Consequently, this encounter prompted me to commit to my goals, such as enhancing communication skills in emotionally charged situations. I comprehended that the experience was a medical scenario coupled with a lesson in the emotional dimensions of the realm of patient care. Before the rotation I had the idea that labor is a physiological process which is true, but I could not think of the variety of ways that how it can go wrong. I have come to realise that every patient had their own risk, and they were distinct and required individualized plan. The situation required me to uphold my healthcare professionalism which involved balancing transparency and my limitations to relay the necessary information to the distressed parents. Conveying sensitive information encompasses substantial challenges, including emotional intelligence and empathy. Therefore, it is crucial to approach each breaking bad news situation with optimum sensitivity, the emotional state of the patients, and their support system. Understanding cultural differences and adapting communication strategies accordingly can further improve the effectiveness of conveying sensitive information compassionately. Consequently, the questions from the parents challenged my medical knowledge and capacity to navigate such issues and provide support. My conversation with the parents enabled me to realize the importance of active listening and empathy in such situations. Moreover, it was essential for me to understand the concerns and fears of the parents, and to respond with compassion and reassurance. This experience significantly heightened my effective communication in delivering medical information accurately as well as building trust and rapport with patients and their families. The situation enabled me to understand the implications of risk-taking and recognizing mistakes in communication which further acknowledged the multidimensional challenges of patient care. . In labor the patient is in a acute situation that alarm their support system to ask for prompt answers. Consequently, medical students in their rotation should understand that conveying inappropriate information could result in emotional judgments from the support system of the patient, thus impairing trust and the doctor-patient relationship. Consequently, the case heightened my perspective to imperatively seek guidance from senior professionals in managing the complexities of charged situations. The expertise of the senior professionals spanning many years in the wards communicating with patients and their families would underscore and deepen the understanding of such situations and encounters. This would help in providing pertinent responses that could accommodate the emotions of the support system regarding the state of the patient. Consequently, traversing medical uncertainties and highlighting the absence of ideal solutions became integral aspects of my learning process as a 5th-year medical student. Critical medical encounters enable medical students on their rotation to put their theoretical skills into the practical realm of patient care. I would optimally identify and address any biases or assumptions that may impact patient care. Moreover, I would develop a deeper understanding of different cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic factors, and individual needs by continuously exposing myself to diverse patient scenarios. Subsequently, the reflective practices would enhance my ability to critically analyze my actions and decisions, thus allowing me to constantly improve and provide the best possible care for all patients. The case prompted me to continually set optimal healthcare goals, integrate them with new insights, and adapt problem-solving approaches as essential components of future encounters. My plan for the future is to identify and manage healthcare uncertainties by leveraging proactive initiative-taking, reflective analysis, and an openness to learning from mistakes. I aim to utilize my theoretical knowledge to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the overall advancement of healthcare practices. I intend to handle medical challenges by utilizing practical evidence-based strategies, including collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure the patient’s best interest. ^^ this is my initial draft which I don't like. Please edit and improve it to make it coherent and impressive, feel free to add whatever will make my essay perfect according to the guide please check the grading criteria attached