10/21/2012

I apologize for the long delay since my last blog post, but I was going through a pretty hectic time. My fiancee recently had a hip surgery, and much of my time has been allocated to helping her recover from that process and taking care of our son.Though my mind has been occupied with these challenges, I have had many opportunities to reflect on my volunteer work and some of the challenges that the medically underserved face in the United States. Health, disease, and social status are interrelated. In our country, the poor often travel far and wait longer to receive health care that is considerably inferior to that available to the wealthier. The access to healthcare and the utilization of resources vary widely in different communities. Physicians should carry the moral duty to provide service to the poor and the uninsured. As an aspiring physician, I must consider the efficient utilization of resources in my profession. For example, ordering only necessary diagnostic tests can help reduce the burdening cost of healthcare. These savings can be used to help the uninsured and the underinsured among us. As I continue to volunteer and think about my future career, I hope to play an active role in community initiatives to help improve patients’ access to medications to maintain their health to reduce hospital admissions.