As a volunteer at a local hospice center, I dedicate 2-3 hours each week to meet and interact with patients. While my encounters with some are sadly fleeting, each volunteering session has become a weekly highlight. Our activities range from coloring to watching TV shows and nature scenes on the C.A.R.E channel, and our conversations cover everything from family and life to favorite foods. These experiences are a mix of joy and sorrow, when a patient could not help but break into tears thinking about family and his lovely granddaughter, and I hold his hand, letting him know that I’m here to support him and it is ok to be sad. But no matter how joyous or sad, each encounter with a patient is a treasure in my heart, teaching me about the depth of human emotion, the power of care and love, and the process of facing death with a blend of peace, gratitude, sadness, and reluctance. Gratitude for the life they had and a determination to spend the rest in peace and love, though these times are intertwined sadness and reluctance to leave.
The training, especially the emphasis on embracing silence and fully engaging in conversations, has been invaluable. It taught me to focus on the patient, instead of trying to fill quiet moments with unnecessary chatter. This skill has been crucial in establishing meaningful connections with patients. Moreover, the various prompts provided during training have enriched my understanding, giving insight into different perspectives of hospice care, and enabling more natural and mindful interactions. The reflection questions after the prompts are very helpful too, making me think further and let me apply what I’ve heard to the next meeting with patients.
Experiences at the hospice have significantly influenced my desire to pursue a career in medicine. Together with my personal experiences, reflecting on my family’s encounters with mortality, have reinforced my resolve to learn how to care for people at the end of their lives and to alleviate the suffering of their families. Additionally, not only being a decisive influence in my pursuit for the medical field, volunteering at the hospice has also been a transformative journey for me personally. Initially, I was an introvert who shied away from direct interactions, preferring to remain in the background. However, the need for effective communication and emotional presence in hospice care compelled me to step out of my comfort zone.
My first hospice visit was daunting; my introduction was marred by stammers. Yet, sitting beside the patient’s bed, our conversation slowly unfolded from the nature scenes on TV to personal stories, easing my nerves and leading me into his world. Between conversations, I contended with my urge to fill silences, learning instead to share in the quiet. With each visit, I noticed the patient’s condition worsen, his hair thinning, his frame more fragile; the stark realization of our limited time propelled me to engage more deeply, setting aside my timidness to be fully present. Towards the end, we shared moments of connection over his favorite scenes of serene waterfalls, and even in his fading consciousness, he would occasionally share a smile with me. Through these experiences, the timid, reserved individual evolved into one who could engage with patients fluently, with genuine interest and empathy, aligning with the empathetic, attentive physician I aspire to be.
In conclusion, if I were to describe the benefits of hospice volunteering on a medical school application, I would emphasize its transformative impact on my personal and professional growth. It has not only taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication in patient care but also reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. This experience has been instrumental in shaping me into a compassionate individual who is prepared to face the challenges of healthcare with a caring and attentive demeanor.