Primary Care Profession

The most significant issue affecting the future of healthcare in the United States is an ethical and financial one—access to healthcare. Nearly 50 million people are uninsured, while healthcare costs are rising. Moreover, as the economy has weakened, the number of people with coverage has decreased. The uninsured are deprived the same access and quality of care as those with insurance. As preventative care is a rarely an option for those uninsured, they suffer serious health repercussions and ultimately face serious financial burdens when they eventually do get care.

In addition to the problem of insurance coverage, is the shortage of primary care physicians. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), a shortage of 124,000 physicians is expected by 2020, which includes an approximate shortfall of 46,000 primary care physicians. I take a personal and professional interest in this aspect of access to healthcare. I have typically interacted with primary care physicians throughout my life. They are, in a sense, the physicians on the frontline. When it comes to minor issues or serious conditions, primary care physicians are the professionals who manage most peoples’ care. I admire their ability to draw upon their expertise and experience to appropriately manage a variety of conditions, but also exude an attitude of kindness, reassurance, and understanding.

Daniel Berman was an enlightening opportunity, allowing me to observe primary care from a physician’s perspective. I also had the pleasure of practicing my bedside manner by interacting with Dr. Berman’s patients in an office and hospital setting. I hope to emulate Dr. Berman’s charm and professionalism when interacting with patients in my own career. Thanks to my personal history as a patient and my shadowing of Dr. Berman, I envision myself as an internist in the area of primary