I did my internal medicine rotation at New York Presbyterian Queens, and I really enjoyed this rotation. For every shift, I got to rotate with a different PA. The assigning PA would ensure we had a chance to see patients on different floors for a better educational experience. My previous rotation was Emergency medicine, which is totally the opposite of Internal medicine. In the ED, the focus was on the most acute complaint. In contrast, Internal medicine focuses on the principal problem while managing patients holistically. After this rotation, I realized how complex internal medicine is. Most patients were elderly with multiple comorbidities, and new problems may arise during their hospital stay. PAs play an essential role in this department. They worked seamlessly with other providers to coordinate patient care, and they would round on the patients and update them and their families on the care plan.

During this rotation, I learned the importance of communication. PAs constantly communicate with other professionals to ensure they have the most accurate information regarding the patient’s care. Efficient communication ensures that the patient receives the appropriate care promptly. I also realized that I learned the most by following the patient through their hospital stay. Even if I didn’t get to see the patient, I would read on the chart and follow up on their condition. I will continue to follow up on the patients I’ve seen as much as possible for my future rotation.