Working at EPIC heart and vascular clinic, under the supervision of Dr. Usman Khan, was an enriching experience through and through. Throughout the externship, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr.Khan in various settings, including the outpatient clinic and the catheterization lab in hospitals. I had the opportunity to interact with patients and the medical team.
At the clinic, we had a hands-on experience, encompassing evaluating the patients, presentation of cases to Dr. Khan and other providers, and discussion of management plans and recent updates of clinical criteria. This allowed me to strengthen my clinical and communication skills and empathy to build rapport in a patient-centered setting. I also had the opportunity to actively utilize the clinic’s EMR system to document patient encounters, review medical histories, and access relevant diagnostic reports efficiently. The medical team’s patient interactions broadened my understanding of active listening techniques and providing clear and comprehensive explanation of medical information. I also had engaging discussions with the medical team regarding the rationale behind management plans. Working with various medical teams at the clinic, incorporated the spirit of collaboration in me.
Furthermore, I had exposure to various diagnostic modalities during my time at the clinic. I actively observed echocardiograms, exercise stress tests, and carotid and venous Doppler ultrasounds, which inspired a keen interest in understanding the nuances of these diagnostic procedures. I also observed the steps involved in varicose vein procedures, such as Varithena, Veniseal, and Venclose techniques, where Dr. Khan engaged us in learning the steps and differences of these innovative treatments, which stimulated my eagerness to explore specialized areas within cardiology. At the hospital, I had the opportunity to observe catheterization procedures, learn about right heart hemodynamics and coronary anatomy. After every procedure, Dr. Khan discussed the indication and specific procedure findings with us.
Additionally, in reference to scholarly activities, I acquired knowledge of latest research in cardiology by attending the journal club sessions conducted by my peers at the clinic and presented a recent study myself, prevalence and incidence of anemia in PARADIGM heart failure and the impact of Sacubitril/Valsartan, published in JACC, in a comprehensible fashion.
The externship/observership with Dr. Khan was a well-rounded and insightful experience of healthcare system in the United States.
