Misha P's Senior Project Blog
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Project Title: Human vs. Machine: The Heartbeat of Full-Service Care BASIS Advisor: Vidya Mannem Internship Location: TSAOG: San Antonio Orthopaedic & Spine Treatment Center Onsite Mentor: Dr. Jessica Rustein |
Project Abstract
My senior project focuses on gaining first hand exposure to the medical field by shadowing doctors across various specialties, allowing me to observe full service patient care, clinical procedures, and the daily responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Through this experience, I aim to deepen my understanding of different medical disciplines and the complexities of providing effective treatment. As an additional point of interest, I will also take note of how human interaction influences patient care and whether the medical field could sustain a transition to a fully AI-driven system. While AI continues to advance in diagnostics and administrative tasks, my observations will offer insight into the irreplaceable role of empathy, trust, and personal connection in medicine. This experience aligns with my academic interest in healthcare and supports my long-term goal of becoming an anesthesiologist, where both technical expertise and human-centered care are essential.
Week 9 – Connecting the Dots in Care
As I move to close out this shadowing experience, I've started viewing each patient visit not merely as a clinical interaction, but as one facet of a much larger picture. This week, I once again shadowed with Dr. Rutstein and made sure to notice more intentionally what goes on behind the scenes of every patient visit — namely, how care flows from one provider or service to another. Even though the cases themselves were run-of-the-mill — ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures — each case had something new to teach me about how to deal with each case. I was especially mindful of the follow-through: What happens... Read More
Week 8 – Deep Dives and Deeper Cuts
This week, I shifted my attention from alternating between specialties to concentrating on two areas: the development of research into vertical and horizontal models of care and spending more time watching surgical procedures with Dr. Hughes. After weeks of exposure to clinical environments, I felt compelled to step back and gain a better understanding of... Read More
Week 7: Threading the Needle Through Patient Journeys
This week, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Rutstein further, a podiatrist with whom I have now spent several sessions. In contrast to last week, where I saw several specialties, this week I had a single specialty exposure. I viewed it through the podiatrist's eyes to better understand vertical and horizontal medical care. ... Read More
Week 6: Understanding the Power of Unified Medicine
This week, I got to shadow three different physicians in different specialties: Dr. Josh Bell, a sports medicine doctor; Dr. Luis Perez, an urgent care physician; and once more, Dr. Rutstein, a podiatrist whom I have shadowed before. Each setting presented something new and further enlightened me on how each specialty addresses the same conditions,... Read More
Week 5: From Spine Care to Cast Rooms—and an Unexpected Urgent Care Visit
This week was a varied collection of activities as I followed up with more doctors across different specialties, giving me a more complete picture of the range of jobs that make up orthopedic care. I got to see a spine orthopedic specialist, assist casting technicians, and follow AA's (anesthesiologist assistants) each giving a particular perspective... Read More
Week 2: Expanding My Understanding of the Medical Field
This week, I continued shadowing Dr. Hughes and Dr. Rutstein in the foot and ankle clinic. I am getting more comfortable with the clinical setting and have begun to get the hang of the flow of patient care, physicians' rounds, and patient communication nuances. I am getting more comfortable with this on-the-job training, and daily... Read More
Week 3: Expanding My Reach
As I continue through this internship, I am beginning to branch out beyond the physicians whom I initially shadowed. This week, I had the opportunity to observe physical therapists (PTs) working and learned more about their role in assisting a patient to recover and rehabilitate. While surgeons provide operative intervention, physical therapists assist patients in... Read More
Week 4: Looking into other Professions
This week, I was once more on the surgical side of my internship and was able to observe more procedures, which allowed me to get even further into the operating process. Being on physical therapy the previous week, it was especially helpful to be able to compare these two stages of care—surgery and rehab—and see... Read More
Week 1: An Introduction to the Clinical Environment
Welcome to my Senior Project blog!! Hi! My name is Misha! I am a senior at BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus with a big passion for STEM! For the next ten weeks, I will be documenting my experiences in the medical field through my internship at the TSAOG Orthopaedics Clinics in San Antonio. I look... Read More