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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
Tears of Joy!
Tears of Joy!
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
One tends to forget what a powerful or influential position that of a medical teacher is till something like this episode jerks you back to the realities of a teacher's life. To being a medical teacher, add, being the chief of a department in a medical college and matters can get overwhelming.
One tends to forget what a powerful or influential position that of a medical teacher is till something like this episode jerks you back to the realities of a teacher's life. To being a medical teacher, add, being the chief of a department in a medical college and matters can get overwhelming.
Three little girls.. well may be not so little girls , from all over the country joined us a few weeks ago as brand new residents (medical postgraduate students). They have walked into a new city called Mumbai, a new hospital; unknown colleagues and seniors and, for some, confusion with a new language they have never spoken nor understand.
Three little girls.. well may be not so little girls , from all over the country joined us a few weeks ago as brand new residents (medical postgraduate students). They have walked into a new city called Mumbai, a new hospital; unknown colleagues and seniors and, for some, confusion with a new language they have never spoken nor understand.
It was very different in my days. I, for one, was closeted within the familiar and protective four walls of the GS medical college all through my graduate and post graduate days - maybe, you too were born and bred in just one place in your own city.
It was very different in my days. I, for one, was closeted within the familiar and protective four walls of the GS medical college all through my graduate and post graduate days - maybe, you too were born and bred in just one place in your own city.
Against this background, imagine what all such new residents - especially those from out of town, have to go through.
Against this background, imagine what all such new residents - especially those from out of town, have to go through.
This is the reason why, when I talk to my new residents as they enter the department, I say things which make them comfortable. I tell them to think of the department as a 'home away from home' and of us as guardians - not just teachers. Over the last four decades as a teacher, off and on, I have been called to play the role of a 'guardian'.
This is the reason why, when I talk to my new residents as they enter the department, I say things which make them comfortable. I tell them to think of the department as a 'home away from home' and of us as guardians - not just teachers. Over the last four decades as a teacher, off and on, I have been called to play the role of a 'guardian'.
Preamble over, now about this episode.
Preamble over, now about this episode.
One of the educational assignments we have for all residents is called "Show and Tell" a throwback to junior school days.
One of the educational assignments we have for all residents is called "Show and Tell" a throwback to junior school days.
Here residents 'choose' or are assigned a topic to prepare and present to the rest of the department. The idea is "you learn as you prepare and show and tell" and others learn from your presentation.
Here residents 'choose' or are assigned a topic to prepare and present to the rest of the department. The idea is "you learn as you prepare and show and tell" and others learn from your presentation.
For me, there is one more aspect to this assignment "I learn about you". - about your presentation and teaching skills. For, in such presentations especially by first-timers, I let loose the "fastidious me" on the art of making and presenting stuff including those of making PowerPoint slides - especially those related to radiologic images.
For me, there is one more aspect to this assignment "I learn about you". - about your presentation and teaching skills. For, in such presentations especially by first-timers, I let loose the "fastidious me" on the art of making and presenting stuff including those of making PowerPoint slides - especially those related to radiologic images.
I do believe in 'catch them young; watch them grow'. For, over time, I have realised that 'oldies' do not change - no matter how bad their presentation skills are and often, they are.
I do believe in 'catch them young; watch them grow'. For, over time, I have realised that 'oldies' do not change - no matter how bad their presentation skills are and often, they are.
A couple of weeks ago, we had this 'show and tell' by one of the new residents. She had been sitting with me during my routine reporting hours for the past couple of weeks and I had noticed that for a new-born resident, she was different - very different,. She was bold and articulate and did not hesitate to ask me questions nor try to correct my 'misses' on radiology reporting. It is out of these interactions that I had assigned her a 'show and tell' session.
A couple of weeks ago, we had this 'show and tell' by one of the new residents. She had been sitting with me during my routine reporting hours for the past couple of weeks and I had noticed that for a new-born resident, she was different - very different,. She was bold and articulate and did not hesitate to ask me questions nor try to correct my 'misses' on radiology reporting. It is out of these interactions that I had assigned her a 'show and tell' session.
That morning, sharp at 8, she was ready with her presentation. And this little girl, talked and presented like a career long teacher - she actually taught - not just presented. I could barely pick out few points to correct - here and there.
That morning, sharp at 8, she was ready with her presentation. And this little girl, talked and presented like a career long teacher - she actually taught - not just presented. I could barely pick out few points to correct - here and there.
Session over, I thanked her and said :
Session over, I thanked her and said :
"Well done" and went on to attend to other chores.
"Well done" and went on to attend to other chores.
When you have been around for as long as I have been, you can spot teaching skills in less than a minute. I have never been wrong in picking out good teaching talent very early .. so too lousy teachers.
When you have been around for as long as I have been, you can spot teaching skills in less than a minute. I have never been wrong in picking out good teaching talent very early .. so too lousy teachers.
So, the session ended and I was impressed enough to go around telling a few colleagues how good a session that was.
So, the session ended and I was impressed enough to go around telling a few colleagues how good a session that was.
But, the important job was still remaining.
But, the important job was still remaining.
I had to tell that resident that she had done a great job.
I had to tell that resident that she had done a great job.
A few days passed before, I called her to my office and said "You have done a brilliant job on the presentation; you have it in you to be a great teacher and when you grow up, if you have an opportunity to be in academic practice, please do not bypass that for a more lucrative private practice career . You can benefit a lot of young students".
A few days passed before, I called her to my office and said "You have done a brilliant job on the presentation; you have it in you to be a great teacher and when you grow up, if you have an opportunity to be in academic practice, please do not bypass that for a more lucrative private practice career . You can benefit a lot of young students".
My words must have been totally unexpected; perhaps overwhelming too .- for even as I saying these words, the resident's eyes welled up and soon, she was sobbing uncontrollably.
My words must have been totally unexpected; perhaps overwhelming too .- for even as I saying these words, the resident's eyes welled up and soon, she was sobbing uncontrollably.
I was happy, for I knew, these were Tears of Joy.
I was happy, for I knew, these were Tears of Joy.
As a senior, as a Chief, you will have endless opportunities to find fault, to reprimand, to show you are the boss.
As a senior, as a Chief, you will have endless opportunities to find fault, to reprimand, to show you are the boss.
But, every once in a while, you will have the occasion to give praise. When that happens, do not ever bypass such opportunities. Be generous when praise is deserved. You can never predict how such praise will affect the 'praised one'.
But, every once in a while, you will have the occasion to give praise. When that happens, do not ever bypass such opportunities. Be generous when praise is deserved. You can never predict how such praise will affect the 'praised one'.
You have lit the spark, wait and see what happens,, who knows a full New Year eve firework spectacle may come with time.
You have lit the spark, wait and see what happens,, who knows a full New Year eve firework spectacle may come with time.
Being a teacher presents opportunities to guide your students' lives for the better.
Being a teacher presents opportunities to guide your students' lives for the better.
I hope, you will never let them pass by - unexplored.
I hope, you will never let them pass by - unexplored.
July 2019.
July 2019.
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