"He is here.. He is here!". There was a lot of hush-hush and excitement among all of us, as the best EAMCET rank holder of our campus was coming to give us some tips for the upcoming EAMCET competitive test (medicine stream). It was the most crucial examination that mattered to any BiPC student of the state.
We all were looking at him with awe, wondering how he prepared for the test, what he ate, what he did which made his mind extra sharp, enabling him to bag the top state rank!
“Hello everyone...” he said. Our eyes were still fixed on him, without a single blink. He continued, “Don’t we all think that these competitive exams are the most crucial exams we ever gonna face? The turning points of our life? Once we are through it, then there is nothing which is going to stop us from becoming doctors?? Don’t we all think like this??” “Yes..” we answered in union. “But we all are wrong here!” the ranker cleared.
There was an expression of surprise over our faces. “EAMCET is just an start, there is still a very long battle for us to fight. We can’t carry on MBBS stream relying on the ranks secured by us in these competitive exams. Only if you are determined enough to pursue this course you can continue in this field, because things take a very different turn from right here!” he concluded.
I was kind of puzzled that time, but only after entering the medical college did I understand what exactly he meant then.
Things are different here, very different. Huge syllabus, the books though simplified by efficient professional still don’t get into our brain after a minimum of two readings. Just theoretical knowledge is of no great use in medical field, practical experience is what matters here. And as for theory, the books are always available for reference. Without the practical knowledge it’s like we are in middle of a vast ocean, in a boat, knowing everything about the boat, its principle of working, how it is manufactured etc. But we don’t know how to use the oars (the practical part). With the knowledge you have, you very well will be able to move the boat, but there will be no proper speed and orientation of the moving boat. In the same way a person expert in sailing the boat by his many practical efforts, if he completely ignores the theoretical knowledge associated with it, his boat will be moving but only aimless, he doesn’t know what the result of his expedition will be.
There are many occasions when we doubt our own capabilities (at least I do). But the zeal and passion with which we have entered this course keeps us moving. Every person is unique, we all know that. Thus each and every patient is unique with his/her own peculiarities. So regardless of how many cases we encounter, still there is something unknown and new to be discovered with each case.
It’s a strenuous job. No matter how much we give ourselves to this work, still there is lot to be done, many ailments to be treated, many patients to be cared. I don’t think anyone can carry on with this course unless they love their profession. Who are enthusiastic and dare enough to remain in this field even after the failures they encounter and some of the blunders they commit.
When it comes to pay, they say ‘doctors’ are here for public health but not to make their personal wealth! But don’t you think even these people have a family to support. From where do you think they should get the money to buy their princely rated foreign books in order to keep up with the latest advancements and treatment methods of the medical field? After putting in so much effort we just ask for a reasonable pay, for which they react as the present doctors are no longer next to GOD. Man!! Who wants to be a GOD when you still depend on your family for your expenses at the age when our counterparts of other fields earn 5-10 times more! Well this is a never ending topic, I better leave it right here. (I was referring to the stipend of the interns and PGs here)
Coming to family, it is the dream of many parents to see their child wearing the white apron and carrying a stethoscope. Once their kid gets into a medical college, they see their dream turning into reality. But for us it’s still a dream until we finally complete our course (1 + 1½ + 1 + 1 + 1 yrs). That is just for normal MBBS degree, at present PG is must, so 3 more years for that, a total of 8½ yrs for our dreams to become reality.
But these 8yrs the special attention we get from our relatives, friends, acquaintances and the hollow feeling we get even after completing loads and loads of books, turns out to be a passage through hell. I do agree that we medicos get more attention compared to others. I don’t actually like it, but somehow can’t avoid it either. May be it’s because of the position held by this profession in the society, after all it is said to be the ‘noblest’ profession.
Exams are not the real judging factors for the capabilities of any medico (I say this because by just scoring highest marks you don’t become the best doctor). But they do shake off the earth beneath us. Do visit our hostels during exam time to see the heights of tension. :P And the day of results, just like the day I am writing this post, is torturous. Huh! dunno how my results will turn out. But I do know that no matter if I pass or fail, even if I get a good percentage or not... I will never lose my hope, my passion and my zeal of pursuing and completing this course. And last but not the least I have faith in GOD and confidence in myself that someday..sooner or later, I will be a reasonably good doctor. Whose main criteria will be focused on public health (as the wealth department is taken care of by my dad at present and later it will be shifted on to my better half..he has no other option :p)
Wish me luck!! ;)
