Entre a vida e a morte: uma reflexão sobre a construção de uma identidade médica e os bastidores

Abstract

This Final Undergraduate Project presents a reflective narrative of the author’s medical education at the Federal University of São Carlos, drawing on a collection of experiences that were particularly meaningful throughout six years of undergraduate medical training. Rather than focusing solely on the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during this period, the narrative also explores the sociocultural dimensions of medical education, which played a fundamental role in shaping the physician the author has become. The narrative is grounded in the understanding that professional development extends beyond the acquisition of technical knowledge. Medical training is also shaped by social relationships, participation in a culturally diverse university community, interactions with patients, the understanding of illness as a biopsychosocial process, and engagement in scientific research. Among the experiences discussed are home visits carried out during the early years of medical school, the first deaths encountered during clinical training, experiences accompanying patients and families through the process of terminal illness, and the author’s own experience of illness within his family. The narrative also addresses extracurricular activities, particularly the challenges and experiences involved in undergraduate scientific research, as well as the sociocultural background and personal growth fostered through participation in student organizations. Throughout these experiences, the author reflects on the transformations that occurred over the course of these six years, particularly in his understanding of patient care, the boundaries of medical practice, communication with patients and their families, and the critical interpretation and application of scientific evidence. In this sense, the narrative seeks to demonstrate how medical education extends beyond the classroom and clinical setting, encompassing personal, social, cultural, and scientific experiences that collectively contribute to the development of a physician’s identity and approach to care.