Digital health has its own pros and cons. During the pandemic, telemedicine became the leading way of reaching the masses and maintaining social distancing. Whereas, a lot of misinformation regarding covid, various drugs has been circulated in recent times, making us realize that digital health can be harmful. In the end, nothing can replace the classic one on one doctor-patient relationship.
1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey?
I was born in the city of Taj Mahal to a wonderful set of parents who hailed from an army background. Hence, most of my childhood was spent in switching cities and schools. My elder brother was the first doctor in our family and I literally followed in his footsteps. In my early childhood, I was always inclined towards playing doctor-doctor with my friends, pretending to use a stethoscope, using a bull’s eye lamp mirror (which I did not even know what it was called at that time).
Like in a typical Indian family even I was given an alternative between engineering or pursuing medicine but I was somehow sure about getting into medicine. Hence, I opted for biology after my high school was completed. Those two years of preparation just to crack this prestigious exam in our country was an enormous deal and one has to give in all to bag that one seat in the country’s one of the top-notch medical institutes.
I was fortunate enough to secure a good rank without any formal coaching from any of the institutes, just with the support of family and friends I could achieve it. Out of the many options that I got, I decided to pursue my MBBS from VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
This long period of 5 and half years of under graduation has shaped me and my personality completely. Those were the best years of my life except the professional exams, viva. But these years of immense dedication, pressure, hard work makes me who I am today and inspire me to be a better doctor. Currently, I am pursuing my residency at Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.
2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?
Whilst growing up I was very fond of biology as a subject and preferred it over calculations (bad at maths). During vacations whenever my brother uses to visit us, he uses to bring few pieces from boneset to study, stethoscope, and various other instruments all of which really got me ticking (what a nerd! As some may say).
Even after joining my dream college, I was never sure of what I wanted to do in the future. However, our clinical postings in various departments gave us a little peek into the kind of work each branch offers. During my internship, I did quite a few minor surgical procedures and that feeling of holding a scalpel made me realize that I wanted to be a surgeon. As one may say surgeons are artists who paint with the finest brush!
3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?
In this covid era, it was hazardous being an ENT surgeon. Even studies were published on how otorhinolaryngologists are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Most of my colleagues were infected while treating the patients. As one cannot diagnose the illness without examining properly, which requires instrumentation and close contact with the patient.
One of the most rewarding aspects of ENT is when I can secure the airway of a patient, help them to breathe and swallow properly, operate on malignancies, remove foreign bodies from the ear, nose, and throat.
4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?
There are a plethora of diseases seen by otorhinolaryngologists in a day as I work in a Government set up a hospital where treatment for all is free and equal. During this year there has been a sudden boom in the number of cases of Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis (the mighty black fungus). Studies are yet to establish the exact reason for correlating between Mucormycosis and COVID-19 infection.
Nevertheless, we have to promptly diagnose these patients by doing nasal endoscopies, treat them and perform surgeries to prevent the debilitating effects of this ailment. More so, it is our duty to even spread awareness regarding its signs and symptoms to stop the extension of disease to advanced stages.
5. What are your concerns about Digital Health?
At the very beginning of this pandemic, Dr. RML Hospital became the first nodal center in the national capital. We were all scared of the mysterious covid, it came as unusual and a never known virus before. When the world was still speculating regarding its symptoms, treatment, prevention, etc. I was amongst the first batch of our hospital to be posted in the covid wards. While everything was going haywire, a patient wrote a sweet note of appreciation dedicated to all of us “the covid warriors”. Such small gestures light up our days and motivate us to work even harder for the betterment of society.
6. Can you let us know anyone application of Digital Health in your country which has impressed you?
Digital health has its own pros and cons. During the pandemic, telemedicine became the leading way of reaching the masses and maintaining social distancing. Whereas, a lot of misinformation regarding covid, various drugs has been circulated in recent times, making us realize that digital health can be harmful. In the end, nothing can replace the classic one on one doctor-patient relationship.
7. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation? Which is the best medical college according to you?
From my experience, I know a lot of youngsters wanting to build a career in this field. I just give all of them one piece of advice that pursuing medicine is like a long journey needing your major time of adulthood, energy, and expects complete dedication & motivation. So enjoy it like a train ride as opportunities will hop in -hop off but maintain your balance in personal & professional life(as my husband is a surgeon too) and always work for the amelioration of the human condition.
8. What does your typical day look like and what do you like to do besides work?
Being a third-year resident in a surgical branch usually takes up most of my days time. Still, I try to rejuvenate myself by catching up with family, my husband ( busy neurosurgeon), and friends (real ones and on NETFLIX too), listening to music, dancing, etc. However, OPD’s, surgeries, and studies take up most of my time (not gonna lie about that).
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