On choosing the medical profession
SUDHA VIDYASAGAR
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First qualification is: be ready to study for long years, and settle late in life
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EVERY YEAR, there are many bright young students who want to become doctors. Many parents would love to achieve this career ambition for their children. As a practising doctor for over two decades, I have no problems about either students' or parents' ambitions. I have problems with their decision making process.
Most youngsters make their career choices when they have very fuzzy ideas of which course leads to what kind of life, and almost nobody seems to worry if the candidate is suited for that kind of career. For most, it is an achievement, and a reaffirmation of their intelligence and talent. Like scaling a mountain. What they do not understand is that they cannot get off this mountain, as it is a path to which they are committed for the rest of their lives!
The sad part is that parents too are in the engineering/medicine mould into which the child must fit. Those who are not good at maths are condemned to become doctors! Unless they themselves are doctors, or have someone from the profession in the family, what they know is very sketchy. For many, it is a proxy fulfilling of ambitions. For doctor parents, this is a family legacy and no thought is given to the child's own inclination. For some others, it is a matter of pride, that their child is smart enough to get a medical seat. So between confused kids and parents with their own agendas, the career is chosen.
What it demands
It is important to go into any profession with eyes open: one should know what the profession demands, and what it gives. The medical profession involves a long gestation period, with a basic MBBS course which is five and a half years long. The course is information intensive, and academically demanding, and that is why most medical students do not enjoy breaks and free time, which is part of many other courses.
In today's world most medical graduates need a post graduation degree or specialisation to survive. This comes in after the basic course, with another entrance exam which is very competitive. It takes three years to do a speciality course, after which one can either do private practice or join an academic institution. For super specialisation, for example cardiology, it means another entrance test, and another three years. So first qualification: be ready to study for long years, and settle late in life.
The knowledge in the medical field is growing by leaps and bounds, and none of us in the profession can survive without reading to keep up with the latest in the area of interest. So that brings us to the second demand: life long learning.
Many youngsters hear about top surgeons and other doctors making pots of money, and this becomes a goal. If money is one's ambition, there are many other professions where one can earn it much more easily, and much less guiltily. In fact money will be the worst motive for anyone to join this profession, as it may erode ethics, which is the foundation of the profession.
What it offers
The doctor is respected by people in all walks of life. Even in today's commercial world, the public image of the medical man is still intact as a person who saves lives. This is many times literally true. One's knowledge and sincerity does make a huge difference to the life of one's patient, and thus brings in a tremendous satisfaction.
There are many occasions to rejoice, when patients go home happy and eternally grateful, which for most of us is a huge high. The patient trusts the doctor with his most valuable possession: himself. This is a humbling privilege, not experienced in any other profession.
The profession is thus not a course, but a calling. And if one goes into it, with the right attitude, and a mind to serve, one can lead a very useful and personally satisfying life. So those young people, who have these ambitions in mind, are most welcome to join the clan!
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