The Medfools IMG Internal Medicine Sample Residency Personal Statement Library is now open!
These sample Internal Medicine residency personal statement examples for Internal Med are here for your viewing pleasure (fully anonymous). We’re hoping to add more in the future, including Pre-Med personal statements. If you’ve got one to add to the free library, don’t forget to contribute yours.
IMG INTERNAL MEDICINE PERSONAL STATEMENT
As I gleam with the idea that I’ve reached my final year of medical school, I am now eagerly awaiting residency life. After considering all factors responsible in my persevering drive to become a physician, I found the true specialty that I intend to loyally practice, internal medicine. This decision carefully weighed, arises from the events occurring after my undergraduate studies to the present day.
The two years I spent after college working in an OB/GYN clinic introduced me to the clinical aspect of my medical training. It taught me professionalism, ethical behavior and the art of pacifying the demanding patient. It was here too, where I coincidentally learned from medical students who rotated there about St. Island University School of Medicine, my future medical school seated in the Caribbean Sea. Being away from my family for two years was a test of faith in my desire to become a physician. However, I was thrilled to begin my medical career in a region of the world whose culture was already familiar to me since my family was also from the Caribbean. As a medical student and as a temporary resident of Grenada, I took it upon myself to melt into their culture with open-mindedness and gratitude. What I learned while doing this has shaped me into what I consider essential not only for my life as a physician but for life itself. For example, the courtesy and respect for one another that I experienced there was truly incredible and is something I intend to carry with me like the stethoscope around my neck. Apart from being a good diagnostician, it is these small things that will have a big impact on my bedside manner with patients.
I realized that with every rotation completed, I walked away with something new. However, after my internal medicine rotation, I walked away with not just new experience, but a realization that it was this specialty that encompassed all that I wanted. For one, it offers an expanding field of knowledge. During clinical rounds, I often volunteered to present topics pertaining to a patient’s disease to our medical team, which was very helpful in analyzing our patients. I also love the freedom that internal medicine allows me to take in knowing all body systems instead of being condoned to one. Secondly, an internal medicine residency allows me to incorporate the importance of patient education and preventive medicine. I often witnessed patients in the Caribbean whose chronic illnesses lead to classical textbook cases. At Large City Hospital where I completed my clinical rotations, I saw similar patients with late stage manifestations of their diseases. It is within internal medicine that these principles can be addressed. It is the internist that most patients turn to first when they are sick, so I believe the responsibility first lies in the initial encounter. I have learned that it is not just the physical hands that cure patients but it is sometimes more importantly, the nonphysical means.
One of the most important reasons why I am choosing a residency in internal medicine is that it allows me to connect with people. My innate ability to connect and relate with others, will make my duty of listening and offering solutions to patients effortless. I got a taste for this while doing my IM rotation. WP, was a young patient that had a thymectomy for his myasthenia gravis and later developed pneumonia. I emphasized to him the importance of ambulation and incentive spirometry and I personally assisted him in his walks through the halls as he was weak and could not walk fully on his own. Through our walks, I was able to address all his concerns about myasthenia gravis and his surgery and it was gratifying to hear him tell me, ”Thank you so much for taking care of me, you’ve been so nice to me. You will make a great doctor!” The idea of developing long-term professional relationships with my patients is satisfying and is an aspect that highlights internal medicine.
I believe that the tools that I’ve attained while a student in Grenada, St. Vincent and here in the States will be assets invaluable to my program. Apart from my passion for medicine, I will carry towards my residency my strong interpersonal skills, dedication, diligence, patience, professionalism and my continuously adapting “clinical eye,” allowing me to notice keen details in patients not readily seen. I’ve also realized the importance of giving back to my community and my intention is to practice in areas where quality heathcare is in demand. I am always open to new changes and self-improvement and this will help me stay ahead in our dynamic health care system. I await with exuberance and much confidence my start as a resident of internal medicine, practicing the greatest art in life.