New Blog Post! “How an ED Trauma Patient Became a Registered Voter”

An AIAMC blog series by a dynamic group of Medical Students who are passionate about civic engagement and would like to further examine the intersection of advocacy and healthcare. ‘Civic Engagement Within Medicine’ includes compelling stories which highlight unique patient encounters, and how those interactions have motivated these students to integrate civic engagement in their medical school education.

Civic Engagement Within Medicine

“How an ED Trauma Patient Became a Registered Voter”

During one of my trauma surgery shifts, a patient was brought into the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident. The EMTs were concerned about his condition due to multiple visible injuries, but he was hesitant to receive treatment. When I approached him, he revealed his primary concern: he did not have health insurance and was terrified of the potential costs of his hospital visit. I explained that while the cost of healthcare can indeed be daunting, there were resources available to assist him. I assured him that our hospital had social workers who specialized in connecting patients with financial assistance programs and other supportive services. Reluctantly, he agreed to stay and receive the care he needed.

As a medical student, I have always believed that healthcare goes beyond treating injuries and illnesses. It is about addressing the holistic needs of our patients, including their social determinants of health. This interaction on my trauma surgery rotation provided me with a stark reminder of the barriers many individuals face in accessing necessary healthcare and highlighted the importance of civic engagement in promoting health equity.

Throughout the patient’s treatment, I observed the dedication and expertise of the trauma team as they stabilized his condition. Once he was cleared of immediate danger and under observation, the team reached out to the hospital’s social worker. She met with him, providing detailed information about financial assistance, and guiding him through the process to alleviate his financial fears.

I returned to his bedside later to check on his recovery. During our conversation, I seized the opportunity to discuss something I am passionate about: civic engagement. As a student ambassador for the Civic Health Alliance, an organization dedicated to educating healthcare professionals and patients about the importance of civic engagement, I help patients and health care providers register to vote and discuss the significance of civic participation.

I asked him if he was registered to vote. He looked surprised, wondering what voting had to do with his current situation. Our discussion shifted to the broader importance of civic engagement. I emphasized how voting and being involved in the community could lead to systemic changes that benefit everyone, particularly those in vulnerable positions. 

By the end of our conversation, he expressed a newfound interest in becoming more civically engaged. He agreed to register to vote, realizing that his voice could contribute to shaping policies that might prevent others from facing the same fears and barriers he did.

This experience was a profound reminder that as current and future healthcare providers, our role extends beyond the clinical setting. We have a responsibility to address the broader social issues that affect our patients' health and well-being. Civic engagement is a crucial aspect of this responsibility. By empowering patients to participate in the democratic process, we can collectively work towards a more equitable healthcare system.

Blog submitted by Spoorthy Prabhudeva, fourth year medical student Saint George's University School of Medicine and is part of Civic Health Alliance, an organization focused on empowering individuals within healthcare to mobilize their communities.