In the Halls..."What makes Primary Care 'sexy' to you?"

We asked some BUSM medical students, "What makes Primary Care 'sexy' to you?" Here are their responses.

Anthony Lim (BUSM III) says:

I love that primary care takes a holistic approach to each patient rather than focusing on a single body part or system. Yesterday was my first day in primary care clinic at the Jamaica Plain VA. The first patient, Mr. D, came in with fatigue due to poor sleep patterns, concerns about the pain pills he's taking and the effect they may have on his liver, a non-healing lesion of three months on his right shin, blood and air in his urine, and a flare of his psoriasis. Only in primary care do you see patients who present with such a breadth of issues! The resident even managed to spend a few minutes encouraging Mr. D to quit smoking, which speaks to primary care's emphasis on prevention of disease rather than just treatment. Finally, Mr. D made a point of saying how only the resident really understood all his medical issues, and that he didn't want to see anyone else. His remark is a testament to the continuity of care that underlies primary care and the trust that develops between doctor and patient as a result. These are just a few of the reasons why I am so drawn to primary care!

Carly Grovhoug (BUSM I) says:

For something to be "sexy," it must arouse a certain level of intrigue and desire. "Sexy" can be transient, or it can be lasting. In dating, for example, we encounter attractive people who meet our fancy. After getting to know them, however, we come to realize that personalities do not mesh, timing is not right; the appeal fades away.

An attraction can only endure when the object of desire fits in to the framework of an individual's genuine interests.

The essence of primary care -- treating patients over time as individuals in a social and familial context -- excites me.

I want my career to challenge and fascinate me on a daily basis. I also want it to coincide with my interests and strengths. I love learning about people, their histories and their lifestyles. In order to address most of the major health concerns of our society and of our world, we must identify behavioral patterns contributing to morbidity so as to treat and advise patients appropriately. This is no easy task, especially given the economic, social and cultural diversity represented in every physician's office today. Establishing relationships with patients and educating and advocating for them so as to avoid further health complications is a crucial, yet often overlooked step.

On the surface, primary care may not stick out as the most glamorous branch of medicine. It does, however, stand alone in a number of factors -- intimacy of patient-doctor relations, emphasis on prevention and longevity of care. To me, that is more than sexy...that is something I would take home to mom.