Throughout Clinical Correlations I and II, I experienced growth in self-confidence, clinical reasoning, and patient-centered skills. When Clinical Correlations I began, I felt hesitant about applying my knowledge to cases, particularly in history-taking, forming differential diagnoses, and structuring assessments and plans. Over time, through class discussions, learning points/advice from professors, and learning from my peers, I developed a more organized approach to clinical thinking and became more comfortable integrating everything we have learned thus far (pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatments,  communication, etc.) into patient care.

Key areas of growth have been interpersonal and patient communication skills. Initially, I focused heavily on clinical details, which sometimes limited my ability to connect with patients or families when professors were simulating patients and/or family members. Through experiences with various cases, breaking bad news, and social interactions during hospital visits and Clinical Correlations rounds, I learned the importance of explaining clinical reasoning clearly and engaging with patients on a more human level. Clinical Correlations II further strengthened these skills. I have also improved in prioritizing information and distinguishing clinically significant findings, learning to highlight the most pertinent details that impact management. Exposure to different specialties, such as surgery and pediatrics, in Clinical Correlations II taught me how to tailor communication and approach patient care through different lenses based on context and clinical setting, as well as how to present concise and relevant patient information.

There are several areas in which I continue to improve, including red-flag recognition, follow-up questioning, and efficiency under pressure. Specialty areas such as Pediatrics, Surgery, OBGYN, and Psychiatry remain challenging, particularly in managing different patient populations and care settings. Moving forward, I plan to continue strengthening my clinical skills by integrating anatomy and pathophysiology into clinical reasoning through ongoing practice, observation, and active participation in future simulations and clinical rotations.