Medical School Application: STAR Method Narrative Examples
Why Medicine? The STAR Method
Thesis Statement: I didn’t arrive at medicine through a single moment, but through lived experiences that revealed a pattern—one that brought together human connection, scientific inquiry, and advocacy for those who are too often unheard.
Human Connection
1. Working as a recreation therapist in long-term care and palliative care, I moved beyond theory and classroom teachings to actual, real-life patient-facing experiences where I had to face some of the most complex,
Read MoreGynecological Surgery, Cancer Care, Pregnancy and Childbirth
Gynecological Surgery Effects
Gynecological surgery can affect: femininity, body image, relationships, sexuality, the pelvic floor muscles, hormonal balance, quality of life and mobility habits. Cancers include:
- Vulvar cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian and tubal cancer
- Breast cancer (highest 31%)
Preoperative Nursing Care
Begins from the outpatient department. Key elements:
- Provide information about the procedure and preoperative preparation.
- Organize preparation for the operating
Surgical and Medication Terms for Patients
Medical Terms and Abbreviations
This list preserves the original terms and provides corrected spelling, grammar, and consistent capitalization for clarity.
- INR
- International Normalized Ratio; a system that reports the results of blood clotting tests and is used when patients take anticoagulant medication.
- IM / IMI
- Intramuscular injection; an injection given into the muscle.
- liver disease
- A disease that decreases liver function.
- mane
- In the morning (Latin medical abbreviation).
- metabolism
- Chemical processes
Essential Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Essential Pharmacology Terms
- Onset: The time it takes for a drug to reach the minimum effective concentration.
- Peak drug level: The highest drug concentration in the blood.
- Trough drug level: The lowest concentration reached before the next dose.
- Duration: The length of time a drug exerts a therapeutic effect.
- Side effects: Secondary drug effects.
- Adverse reactions: Unintentional or unexpected reactions.
- Drug interactions: A changed action of a drug resulting from interaction with another drug.
- Drug toxicity:
Clinical Fever Management and Sitz Bath Protocols
Definition and Causes of Fever
Definition: A body temperature rise above 99°F (37° Celsius) is clinically defined as a fever.
Common Causes of Fever
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, fungal, and other pathogens.
- Tissue Damage: Trauma, surgery, or myocardial infarction.
- Dehydration or Heat Exposure: Heatstroke and hyperthermia.
- Malignancy: Conditions such as leukemia and lymphoma.
- Allergic Reactions: Adverse drug or serum reactions.
- Hormonal Causes: Ovulation or hyperthyroidism.
- Drugs and Medications: Antibiotics,
Community Nutrition Strategies to Prevent Cancer
Primary Prevention of Tumours via Community Nutrition
Page 14 — Background
Background:
- Although our genes influence our risk of cancer, most of the difference in cancer risk between people is due to factors that are not inherited.
- Reasons for the large international differences in the incidence of most cancers are unknown.
- For most people who do not use tobacco, the most important cancer risk factors that can be changed are: body weight, diet, and physical activity. These same behaviours are also linked