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what skills do you need in the medical field?
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5 answers
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Shunna’s Answer
To thrive in the healthcare profession, it's essential to keep an open mind, show empathy for patients, and maintain a constant desire to learn. Your educational path can vary based on the specific healthcare field you wish to pursue. Options include attending a community college or a four-year university. Another alternative, which I personally chose, is to serve in the military; I continued my education after retirement.
I have experience as an EMT/Medical Assistant and am currently working as a Mobile Phlebotomist. As a Medical Assistant, you gain exposure to various aspects of healthcare, such as measuring blood pressure and pulse, administering immunizations, drawing blood, performing EKGs, assisting with minor procedures or surgeries, handling catheters, and more.
Additionally, there are opportunities in Nursing and MD. The possibilities in the healthcare field are limitless; it all depends on what sparks your curiosity and where you feel most at ease. Best of luck in your journey!
I have experience as an EMT/Medical Assistant and am currently working as a Mobile Phlebotomist. As a Medical Assistant, you gain exposure to various aspects of healthcare, such as measuring blood pressure and pulse, administering immunizations, drawing blood, performing EKGs, assisting with minor procedures or surgeries, handling catheters, and more.
Additionally, there are opportunities in Nursing and MD. The possibilities in the healthcare field are limitless; it all depends on what sparks your curiosity and where you feel most at ease. Best of luck in your journey!
Thank you for the advice.
Cynthia
Updated
Martin’s Answer
To excel in the healthcare field, it's crucial to master the fundamentals of science and clinical skills, and also to effectively apply them. However, the art of asking the right questions and genuinely listening to the responses from patients or their families is equally important. Healthcare is a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills, and both are equally vital in addressing the concerns that bring people to seek your help.
Recognizing when you don't have the answers and when to involve a specialist is key. It's also important to ask the right questions without solely focusing on your own area of specialization.
Let me share a story from a few years ago. A young woman, around 30 years old, came to me from another state, suffering from severe lower abdominal pain. The pain was so intense that it had transformed her from an excellent runner to someone who could barely walk a block without experiencing pain and shortness of breath. Despite having seen multiple specialists and undergoing numerous tests, she had not received a diagnosis.
I believed her and decided it was time for a fresh approach. I ordered a CT scan with contrast of her abdomen and pelvis, which revealed she had fibroids. I referred her to a surgeon who removed the fibroids and also performed a hysterectomy. This completely resolved her issue, and she was able to return to her previous activities.
I can only speculate that the other specialists she had seen were too focused on their own areas of expertise and weren't truly listening to her. When I see a patient, I believe their problem can fall into one of three categories:
1. The issue is unclear, and we need to conduct more tests.
2. The issue is psychological, and mental health professionals need to be involved.
3. The patient is seeking attention rather than treatment.
In each scenario, the patient is facing a problem, and it's our job to determine the best way to address it.
Recognizing when you don't have the answers and when to involve a specialist is key. It's also important to ask the right questions without solely focusing on your own area of specialization.
Let me share a story from a few years ago. A young woman, around 30 years old, came to me from another state, suffering from severe lower abdominal pain. The pain was so intense that it had transformed her from an excellent runner to someone who could barely walk a block without experiencing pain and shortness of breath. Despite having seen multiple specialists and undergoing numerous tests, she had not received a diagnosis.
I believed her and decided it was time for a fresh approach. I ordered a CT scan with contrast of her abdomen and pelvis, which revealed she had fibroids. I referred her to a surgeon who removed the fibroids and also performed a hysterectomy. This completely resolved her issue, and she was able to return to her previous activities.
I can only speculate that the other specialists she had seen were too focused on their own areas of expertise and weren't truly listening to her. When I see a patient, I believe their problem can fall into one of three categories:
1. The issue is unclear, and we need to conduct more tests.
2. The issue is psychological, and mental health professionals need to be involved.
3. The patient is seeking attention rather than treatment.
In each scenario, the patient is facing a problem, and it's our job to determine the best way to address it.
Updated
Theresa’s Answer
One must be compassionate and kind, and have a burning desire to help mankind in this journey called life, irregardless of the path you choose in the medical field.You could become a doctor, nurse, paramedic,researcher,scientist,teacher or a laboratory technician or X-ray technician. It is good to have good communication skills,good reading comprehension,curiosity, patience and a sense of humor certainly helps.Good study habits are a plus Determination is of essence.
Many Blessings
Many Blessings
I appreciate your support, Theresa
Cynthia
Updated
Shunna’s Answer
To thrive in the healthcare profession, it's essential to keep an open mind, show empathy for patients, and maintain a constant desire to learn. Your educational path can vary based on the specific healthcare field you wish to pursue. Options include attending a community college or a four-year university. Another alternative, which I personally chose, is to serve in the military; I continued my education after retirement.
I have experience as an EMT/Medical Assistant and am currently working as a Mobile Phlebotomist. As a Medical Assistant, you gain exposure to various aspects of healthcare, such as measuring blood pressure and pulse, administering immunizations, drawing blood, performing EKGs, assisting with minor procedures or surgeries, handling catheters, and more.
Additionally, there are opportunities in Nursing and MD. The possibilities in the healthcare field are limitless; it all depends on what sparks your curiosity and where you feel most at ease. Best of luck in your journey!
I have experience as an EMT/Medical Assistant and am currently working as a Mobile Phlebotomist. As a Medical Assistant, you gain exposure to various aspects of healthcare, such as measuring blood pressure and pulse, administering immunizations, drawing blood, performing EKGs, assisting with minor procedures or surgeries, handling catheters, and more.
Additionally, there are opportunities in Nursing and MD. The possibilities in the healthcare field are limitless; it all depends on what sparks your curiosity and where you feel most at ease. Best of luck in your journey!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Cynthia
You're welcome and please reach out if you you have any more questions.
Shunna Flowers
Updated
Fady’s Answer
Mainly, enjoying helping/serving others for the goal of healing. For example, how I knew I wanted to be a doctor is because when I went to shadow and volunteer for different doctors, I saw how much I want to do this. If you had some sort of volunteer/shadowing experience where you got to see the doctor-patient interaction over a period of time, you will know what I mean. Doctors need humility in not judging the patient, and that's something that inspired me. Doctors are willing to learn and work prolonged hours (in some cases,) in order to provide the best care to the patients. Of course knowledge is important, that's why doctors go to get a doctorate degree after college. However, the mere knowledge is not enough to make a great doctor. I hope this helps.