Dr. Mayank Arora - My Impact on the Medical Field Would Be to Ensure a 1:1 Ratio of Doctor: Patient (Doctor from India)

If anyone is passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives, working in the medical field can be one of the most rewarding careers.

1. Tell us about your background, journey and upbringing.

Well, this is going to be a pretty long story spanning 7 years or so. I come from a family of doctors and it was sort of a given that I would be pushed towards the medical profession as a natural progression. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved it from the start. I saw my father, grandfather as role models and I always nursed a desire to become a doctor. Formally, I took the decision to pursue medicine in 12th as I had PCB stream in 11th and 12th. 

After 12th I got my admission to a very renowned university (Subharti University, Meerut) completing my MBBS and one year of internship there. Finally, I came out as a refined physician who was ready to start my own private set-up in Muzaffarnagar. Right now I am a successful private practitioner who is happy to serve people in need.

2. Despite so much of talent in India, why do people look abroad for treatment?

There are many reasons for people to visit abroad for treatment which is known as medical tourism

Price: 

This is the main reason, cost is lower and also insurance issues can be avoided.

Service:

• Superior service provided
• A plentiful supply of registered nurses
• In staying overnight services are good

Quality:

• It is very nice
• Experienced doctors and surgeons 

Availability:

• Cancer therapies are best in Singapore
• Stem cell therapy in Bangkok

3. How important is super specialisation for doctors?

Super specialisation enables us to take our skills to a whole new level, to help patients in need and also keep up with the advancements in the medical field. It ignites our passion and refines our work. 

Super Speciality or multi speciality centres deliver higher-quality treatment and medical services. It helps us move towards greater perception, patient care is teamwork.

For example, Cardiopulmonary bypass support is needed from branches like cardiologists, radiologists, anaesthetists, pathologists, nuclear medicine support. So in short super specialization is the need of the hour.

4. What is your take on virtual methods of providing treatment?

It's basically the patient-practitioner interaction which is on the rise. By 2025 the majority of patient interaction with the health care system will occur virtually.

But still, people in remote areas lack access to this and even basic health care systems. It's often interchangeably used with telemedicine or telehealth.

The virtual methods would:

• Enhance convenience which would help people, instead of travelling to health care, people can access health professionals through video conferencing which is really helpful in the times of this covid-19 crisis as it is very risky to move out of the house and go to an actual health care centre.
• Improve accessibility which would encourage people to attend to their health needs in a more timely manner and most frequently.

5. What do you think are the key differences in studying medicine in Indian and other countries?

First and foremost, the Education System: The education system abroad is more focused on developing the practical skills of a student, unlike India where the focus is entirely on theoretical knowledge.

Secondly, the infrastructure abroad is far better than in medical colleges. In India availability of seats are less as compared to abroad.

Budget for medical education: Different countries have different finances, abroad, universities offer free libraries, free health care.

Language: you need to master this for higher education. 

In the end, this whole thing is only a perception. We have to work hard, devote ourselves.

 

6. Which countries are the best for studying medicine besides India?

The best option to study medicine besides India is the UK (Europe) and China.

Other than that, you can go to Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland or the Netherlands.

 

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book is Dr Bhagwan Win chaurasia's textbook on Human Anatomy. He was a great anatomist of India who published his first textbook in 1979 and since then it's widely read all over the world by medical students. 

This book comes with colourful diagrams, short texts and point-to-point knowledge which is easy. It compasses the latest syllabus prescribed by MCI. It's insanely popular, which is the most read and most reluctant book of a medical student.

 

8. What impact do you want to create in the medical field?

If anyone is passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives, working in the medical field can be one of the most rewarding careers.

I see my father and brother working for others, skipping their meals, giving their hours and hours to patients for their better care, health and above all this satisfaction they receive is what made me a better doctor. 

My impact on the medical field would be to ensure a 1:1 ratio of Doctor: Patient, so that no sufferer is left unattended.

As we all have seen medicos crisis in this running hard time of covid-19, I want every person associated with medical field whether he or she is MBBS, BDS, BAMS Pharmacists, ENT, nurses, ward boys to join hands in hands and work efficiently for the survival and betterment of patients around us.

Everyone should be aware of basic first aid, CPR, dressing, emergency drugs so that no one in India should die due to a lack of medical aid and medical professionals.

Interviewed by - Vanshika Jain