Ma. Hazel Rosary C.

Apostol

Medicine 2020

PERSPECTIVE IN MEDICINE
As a medical student, one should know the basic definition of Medicine. So, I
will be first define Medicine according to the different resources I have found, then the
latter part of this paper, I would be imparting to you my own definition and perspective
in Medicine. Starting off, according to Merriam Webster, Medicine is the science that
deals with preventing, curing, and treating diseases. Also, according to the Freedictionary, it is the science and art of diagnosing and treating disease or injury and
maintaining health. It encompasses treatment by drugs, diet, exercise, and other
nonsurgical means. Lastly, Medical News Today defined Medicine in two basic
meanings, first would be that, it is the science of healing wherein it is the practice of
diagnosing, treating and preventing certain diseases and at the same time, promoting
health. The second is that, it refers to the medications, drug and substances used to treat
and cure diseases. Other people might call medicine a related patient-focused health
profession which is devoted to the health and well-being of patients. Whichever way
medicine is describe, the thrust of the meaning is just the same- diagnosis, treatment
and prevention of disease, caring for patients and a dedication to their health and wellbeing.
So in this part of this essay, I will be sharing to you my own perspective and at
the same time experiences responsible for what I am right now, a medical student and
soon-to-be an M.D. (Yes, I am claiming it!). Back when I was still a pre-schooler or a
grade-schooler, whenever I hear the word medicine, there were two definitions that
usually pops out from my mind, it is either a drug or a doctor and I pity myself for that
little knowledge I had. Proceeding to medicine was not really my plan because all I
want to be was an accountant since I really love Math (I know, Accountancy is not just
all about Math) but things have changed when I entered high school. I think it was my
closest friends back in high school who first influenced me to have the vision of being
a doctor someday since most them want to be doctors someday (Yes, peer-pressure!).
So when I passed the UPCAT, I took the degree program of B.S. Biology since it is the
closest undergraduate degree before proceeding to the Medicine- proper. And you
would be wondering right now as to why I chose UP when there are still other schools
offering different medical degrees and my answer for that would be, it was partly my
fathers decision. I know that the degree that I have earned was not a good foundation
of Med-proper since we were not able to have the experiences in the hospital like those
who have graduated with the degree program of Nursing, Med Tech, etc. But this did
not stop me to pursue my soon-to-be profession, rather, it made my visualization even
stronger. It was the time during our third year in college where I was really sure and
decided to pursue on what I want to be because of cancer. Yes cancer, the no. 1 cause of
death and No, not because my parents or relatives died because of cancer. That was the
time wherein cancer was discussed and elaborated in one of our subject. Knowing
cancer, it really is a dreadful disease and as Professor James Patterson said to his book
The Dread Disease, cancer is described as loathsome beast. It is dreadful to the
extent wherein if a person was diagnosed of having a cancer, the immediate thought of

that person would be what do I want at my funeral? and next would be the fearful
pictures of lying in bed with multiple tubes coming out of your arms and greenish
liquids being poured into your veins. Yes, this scenario would be definitely possible
because as we all know, there a lot of people worldwide who died because of cancer
since a definite cure was not yet discovered as of the moment. But, according to what I
know, there are still a lot of on-going researches that are concerned in the cure of the
different types of cancer. One of this would be the discovery of Dr. Jim Olson which is
the tumour paint, a drug that finds and attaches to tumour cells, illuminating them to
show surgeons exactly where to cut. This experimental technique has been shown to
illuminate brain, prostate, breast, colon, skin and other cancers and is now advancing to
human clinical trials. This event in my life wherein I have been able to have a basic
understanding as to what cancer really is and how it affects the humanity, intrigued and
challenged me to discover the best magic cure someday (Hoping that I will be able to
win a noble prize for this and the whole world will remember me!). This challenge
that I felt during those years made me define one of my perspective about medicine,
wherein medicine is not just about curing, diagnosing, cutting and opening the body of
the patient, it is also a profession wherein you have to do an intense medical research
about finding or creating a remedy or a cure for a specific diseases. In addition, one
field in medicine that got my interest right now is the Robotic Surgery wherein
surgeons could now operate on patients remotely, which would reduce the costs of
travel and other barriers towards receiving specialized care. This type of surgery
improves the accuracy of procedures, especially in cancer cases. Robotic surgery has
increased the ability of cancer surgeons to get clean margins as well due to the
magnification of the structures. While critics say that the cost of the robotic hardware
may outweigh the benefit, the potential for smoother, more efficient, and less invasive
surgeries bodes well both for patient safety and overall medical costs. With all the
advancements happening right now, I am positive enough that the field in Medicine
will have a greater future someday. And I am hoping that this advancements will not
only be available to the richer countries but also to other countries as well, such as here
in the Philippines.
At this point in my life, I know that my knowledge about medicine is still not
enough compare to that of the physicians. But I am looking forward someday that my
future experiences in the clinics would be able to widen my knowledge about what
medicine really is. I am well-driven and highly motivated right now on what path I
have chosen because I know in my heart that serving others as a physician is a noble
and challenging way to invest my intellect, skills, and passion in a demanding and
rewarding profession.
REFERENCES:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/medicine
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/medicine
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/diseases/featured-researchers/olson-jim.html
https://www.fastcompany.com/1794863/7-recent-discoveries-couldrevolutionizemedicine

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070716133214.html