Joseph Emmanuel T.

Barcelon Leadership Paper

May 14, 2019

Discernment Question: Should I pursue a path towards becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Pros and Cons Imagination Exercise Counseling another person At my Deathbed
Pros: I can see myself enjoying the Important Questions I am grateful for the chance to
• Will be aligned with learning experience, although • What are you giving up being able to help people as an
the field of medicine overwhelmed with the in choosing this? What Orthopedic Surgeon, and for the
that is interesting for academic, administrative and are you giving up not chance to do something that I
me the emotional requirements choosing this path? What love. If ever, my only regret
• Shows promise to that this path has asked of me. weighs more? would be missing time with my
being a field that will Missing time with family, • In choosing this path, will family, being there with them
remain relevant in the lacking sleep, and getting you be able to commit to more during weekends, and being
near future intimidated by colleagues has waking up each morning there with my wire more to see
Cons not been desirable but I keep for the next 4-5 years to our kids grow up. I also regret not
• “Fraternity” culture telling myself that this is a seeing this through? being there with my family.
isn’t aligned with necessary path for me to get to • How strong is your
personal values and where I want to be. Although, resolve to face the However, I believe that if I am
may not be aligned there will be days I question challenges that will come able to become an instrument of
with my personality the path I choose, I still enjoy your way? God to make this world a better
• Academic and time what I do given that this has Advice place for more people, then I feel
demands will be great been a field that actually • Choose where you feel I made a right decision. Knowing
• Medical skills I have sparked my interest in the field that God is leading you myself, I believe I wouldn’t just
may not be at par with of medicine. Aside from this, • Even if you will be the be content just being a surgeon. I
what the field expects seeing patients, helping them one to make this decision will and would have been more. I
as a baseline for and seeing them get well by yourself, don’t forget hope that made all the difference.
someone entering the actually helps me cope with to involve others
field the difficulties of residency.
• Pyramidal System
Decision: Pursue residency as an Orthopedic Surgeon.

I want to try it and see for myself if I am cut-out for it. Doubt in myself has usually been a clue that something may actually be that is
for me. Doubt makes me feel that this is something that matters and is something that is worth it. This is how I ended up in medical
school in the first place.
Second, I believe doing what I enjoyed most during medical school would be fulfilling at the same time, I would be able to offer
something different to be able to help more people with orthopedic problems.

Confirmations that I will be looking regarding my decision would be:

1. Being able to finish residency and becoming a competent and skilled Surgeon
2. Being able to help almost if not all my patients achieve the goals we have set together
3. Being able to provide time and other necessary support for my family