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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
Sir, will you be my mentor?
Sir, will you be my mentor?
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
That phone conversation with a young resident in radiology was, by itself, not unusual.
That phone conversation with a young resident in radiology was, by itself, not unusual.
These days, young doctors like to have their "life's course" planned - even as they join the three year postgraduate course leading to an MD degree.
These days, young doctors like to have their "life's course" planned - even as they join the three year postgraduate course leading to an MD degree.
Off and on , I have these 'counselling' sessions with such doctors about "Sir, what should I do after I finish post graduation?". Usually I play it by the ear. For, for there is no one solution to different minds, different kinds, different aspirations, different capabilities.
Off and on , I have these 'counselling' sessions with such doctors about "Sir, what should I do after I finish post graduation?". Usually I play it by the ear. For, for there is no one solution to different minds, different kinds, different aspirations, different capabilities.
This conversation was no different; it lasted about 10 minutes and I was about to disconnect, when this hesitant question came in from the other side.
This conversation was no different; it lasted about 10 minutes and I was about to disconnect, when this hesitant question came in from the other side.
"Sir, will you be my mentor?"
"Sir, will you be my mentor?"
This, from a voice that I had no face to-no name for.
This, from a voice that I had no face to-no name for.
For a moment, I was taken aback.
For a moment, I was taken aback.
For, in the 40 years I have been a postgraduate teacher, I have not been asked this question .. in quite this way.
For, in the 40 years I have been a postgraduate teacher, I have not been asked this question .. in quite this way.
Normally, it is assumed that when you are postgraduate teacher in medicine, you are sine qua non a mentor to your students. Mentor in more ways than one and surely not just in the learning of the science of medicine. Perhaps, the old way of mentoring like this, is no longer "in fashion" these days when when doctors and teachers in both large public teaching hospitals and private hospitals are more busy with practice than teaching.
Normally, it is assumed that when you are postgraduate teacher in medicine, you are sine qua non a mentor to your students. Mentor in more ways than one and surely not just in the learning of the science of medicine. Perhaps, the old way of mentoring like this, is no longer "in fashion" these days when when doctors and teachers in both large public teaching hospitals and private hospitals are more busy with practice than teaching.
Back to this young resident.
Back to this young resident.
25 year olds like her join a 3 year postgraduate course in Medicine after what I call "The NEET Battlefield" -the annual national entrance tests that qualifies eager, young aspirants to postgraduate courses in Medicine all over our country. These war-torn young kids finally reach their "spawning grounds" like salmons do in the Great Lakes in the US - cut up and bleeding all over.
25 year olds like her join a 3 year postgraduate course in Medicine after what I call "The NEET Battlefield" -the annual national entrance tests that qualifies eager, young aspirants to postgraduate courses in Medicine all over our country. These war-torn young kids finally reach their "spawning grounds" like salmons do in the Great Lakes in the US - cut up and bleeding all over.
They have more often than not, left their families, homes, their towns and cities and states to an unfamiliar land in another part of our country - where cultures and languages are very different. And they settle down to killing routines of a resident doctor's life.
They have more often than not, left their families, homes, their towns and cities and states to an unfamiliar land in another part of our country - where cultures and languages are very different. And they settle down to killing routines of a resident doctor's life.
And, they are all 'alone'. They have no one to turn to for advice ..advice on anything....professional or personal.
And, they are all 'alone'. They have no one to turn to for advice ..advice on anything....professional or personal.
We, as their postgraduate teachers , are the only 'knowing' adults they can look up to for solutions to their problems.,
We, as their postgraduate teachers , are the only 'knowing' adults they can look up to for solutions to their problems.,
Sometimes - but not infrequently - these are about intense personal issues but more often - they are about professional quandaries.
Sometimes - but not infrequently - these are about intense personal issues but more often - they are about professional quandaries.
Unfortunately, young postgraduate teachers often do not see themselves in this role; adopting instead a standoffish position from their students.
Unfortunately, young postgraduate teachers often do not see themselves in this role; adopting instead a standoffish position from their students.
This essay is a plea to all such teachers. Put yourself in the position of that student. Better still, put your son or daughter who has left your home to pursue studies in to far off lands, in their position and things will start looking different .. very different.
This essay is a plea to all such teachers. Put yourself in the position of that student. Better still, put your son or daughter who has left your home to pursue studies in to far off lands, in their position and things will start looking different .. very different.
You will realise that you will have to play a very different role in the life of your students... during the three years they will be in your departments.
You will realise that you will have to play a very different role in the life of your students... during the three years they will be in your departments.
Not just their educators
Not just their educators
Not just their mentors
Not just their mentors
But, also the guardians of these fledglings that have flown in to seek shelter under your wings.
But, also the guardians of these fledglings that have flown in to seek shelter under your wings.
This is perhaps why I affectionately, call my residents "Bacchus" (small kids)
This is perhaps why I affectionately, call my residents "Bacchus" (small kids)
I may be a taskmaster at work.. but I will care for my bacchus.. at all times.. in all ways possible.
I may be a taskmaster at work.. but I will care for my bacchus.. at all times.. in all ways possible.
And of course I will be their mentor - unasked.
And of course I will be their mentor - unasked.
I hope you too will.
I hope you too will.
April 2021
April 2021
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