From Academic Reports to Healing Words: A Postdoctoral Experience in Unexpected Places
Living overseas, I have problems seeing medical doctors due to language barriers: unfamiliar with medical terms. The solution is to prepare a detailed report.
The report's structured organization, resembling a work presentation to a supervisor. Not just for meticulous organization, but also for the detailed analysis of my condition and the concise reflection of my medical history.
Once upon a time, I had to visit a doctor in WI, USA. Unfamiliar with medical terms, I felt nervous about the communication. I got an idea of using postdoctoral writing skills to create a unique report. Describing symptoms in simple English with graphs and clear tables, it was a bold attempt that proved right. The nurse praised it, and commented that I was the best one in all their clients. Even suggesting I deserved a gold medal. My mood shifted from worry to delight, realizing postdoctoral training skills could apply even in a medical setting.
Five and a half years of postdoctoral experience unexpectedly proved that report-writing skills were valuable in healthcare. Those days became the reason for outstanding performance in a medical context. This skill, honed in academia, found practical use in healthcare – a hero finding a genuine battlefield.
Reflecting on my postdoctoral career, once deemed effective only in a lab, skills had latent value in life. Training in report writing wasn't just for academic papers; it became valuable for real-life problem-solving. Doctors, accustomed to medical records' numbers, responded positively to a report in simple language.
This episode made me ponder doctor-patient relationships. Communication is not just about conveying symptoms; it's an expression of understanding and support. Although my postdoctoral focus was on research, it cultivated expressing myself in a medical setting.
An exemplary illustration of ordinary life skills playing a crucial role in critical moments. Postdoctoral years weren't just about lab achievements; they equipped me for life challenges. Praise from the doctor instilled a deeper confidence and pride in my postdoctoral journey.
