Embedded Files
Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The 40s are flying by …..
The 40s are flying by …..
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
A few days ago, a colleague of mine and I were discussing how it was during our times .
A few days ago, a colleague of mine and I were discussing how it was during our times .
You see, when you are in your 60s it is not uncommon for you to do this - ‘the ‘forties bashing’ becomes a favourite hobby - emphatically recounting how our 40s were so much better and different.
You see, when you are in your 60s it is not uncommon for you to do this - ‘the ‘forties bashing’ becomes a favourite hobby - emphatically recounting how our 40s were so much better and different.
We mourned how this generation of 40s had no kheeda to do new and different things - especially because they had everything given to them on a platter “It was so much different in our times “ or so goes the refrain - again and again.
We mourned how this generation of 40s had no kheeda to do new and different things - especially because they had everything given to them on a platter “It was so much different in our times “ or so goes the refrain - again and again.
To be fair, this is not all true.
To be fair, this is not all true.
At work I am surrounded by a dozen or so colleagues in their 40s - all very fine people - diligent, hard working, smart and deeply concerned about patient-welfare.
At work I am surrounded by a dozen or so colleagues in their 40s - all very fine people - diligent, hard working, smart and deeply concerned about patient-welfare.
Day after day, they spend their days doing what is expected of them and what contributes to the eventual care of patients. They keep themselves busy doing this as a routine and once in a while when I tell one of them:
Day after day, they spend their days doing what is expected of them and what contributes to the eventual care of patients. They keep themselves busy doing this as a routine and once in a while when I tell one of them:
“Why don't you do this or that -today”
“Why don't you do this or that -today”
The stock answer is “Sir, there is no time, we are so busy with routine stuff..”
The stock answer is “Sir, there is no time, we are so busy with routine stuff..”
Surely they don't have time; they are burdened with patient-related work and everybody wants it to be done on time.
Surely they don't have time; they are burdened with patient-related work and everybody wants it to be done on time.
The patients, their anxious relatives justifiably await results of their investigations in superfast time. And then, there are those TAT times to be met.
The patients, their anxious relatives justifiably await results of their investigations in superfast time. And then, there are those TAT times to be met.
Besides, this is the right thing to do.
Besides, this is the right thing to do.
Given these constraints, it is understandable that those in their forties feverishly chorus:
Given these constraints, it is understandable that those in their forties feverishly chorus:
“Sir, where is the time ?”
“Sir, where is the time ?”
I look back at my own days when I was in the forties and wonder how it was like at the time.
I look back at my own days when I was in the forties and wonder how it was like at the time.
That was about 25 years ago and it was very different.
That was about 25 years ago and it was very different.
It's not fair for me to compare those days with what it is like today; everything has changed; patient expectations are different and there is always a huge difference in the practice between a public teaching hospital and a so called “corporate” hospital.
It's not fair for me to compare those days with what it is like today; everything has changed; patient expectations are different and there is always a huge difference in the practice between a public teaching hospital and a so called “corporate” hospital.
But wait; give this a thought.
But wait; give this a thought.
Day after day you do the same thing . And after a while, this pattern can get boring much like the pattern of the twinkling festive lights I see right outside my window; the pattern gets boring after a few seconds .
Day after day you do the same thing . And after a while, this pattern can get boring much like the pattern of the twinkling festive lights I see right outside my window; the pattern gets boring after a few seconds .
Once in a while, you will come across the ‘interesting’ case - or you will have a deeply satisfying intellectual conversation with colleagues on a difficult diagnosis.
Once in a while, you will come across the ‘interesting’ case - or you will have a deeply satisfying intellectual conversation with colleagues on a difficult diagnosis.
These are but - fleeting moments.
These are but - fleeting moments.
I have no doubt that working in a large teaching department with residents training for their postgraduate courses means much more than this..
I have no doubt that working in a large teaching department with residents training for their postgraduate courses means much more than this..
All those difficult diagnosis that you made would need to be collected and shared with the world so somebody else does not have to follow the difficult path once more again.
All those difficult diagnosis that you made would need to be collected and shared with the world so somebody else does not have to follow the difficult path once more again.
The patterns of disease that we see in our country are frequently different from that of the West. Unfortunately, information on this is not easy to come by.
The patterns of disease that we see in our country are frequently different from that of the West. Unfortunately, information on this is not easy to come by.
Just the other day, I was looking at data on a very simple topic. You may laugh at it but it is true that we have no idea of how many Indians are left handed. Very likely, you will say “the old man has really lost it now”
Just the other day, I was looking at data on a very simple topic. You may laugh at it but it is true that we have no idea of how many Indians are left handed. Very likely, you will say “the old man has really lost it now”
You Google and get the answer : 10% - but that's in the US.
You Google and get the answer : 10% - but that's in the US.
I never tired of saying this that Indians are not 6 feet tall; do not have blue eyes and brown hair.
I never tired of saying this that Indians are not 6 feet tall; do not have blue eyes and brown hair.
We are a different race and culture and live differently.
We are a different race and culture and live differently.
Our disease pattern has to be studied and written up for the rest of the country to learn from. That is how science advances and that is how medicine progresses.
Our disease pattern has to be studied and written up for the rest of the country to learn from. That is how science advances and that is how medicine progresses.
Then again there are these postgraduate students wanting to learn and you can lead by example.
Then again there are these postgraduate students wanting to learn and you can lead by example.
During all these conversations which I had with my colleagues one thing keeps coming up again and again -
During all these conversations which I had with my colleagues one thing keeps coming up again and again -
Time ?
Time ?
Many management Gurus have said is the busiest man is a one who has the maximum time.
Many management Gurus have said is the busiest man is a one who has the maximum time.
Philosophers have said ‘time is a state of mind’.
Philosophers have said ‘time is a state of mind’.
If you don't believe me, listen to this great teacher and a wise man.
If you don't believe me, listen to this great teacher and a wise man.
Finally ask yourself this simple question
Finally ask yourself this simple question
“When was the time I did something for the first time?”
“When was the time I did something for the first time?”
All that I am saying is this:
All that I am saying is this:
When you are fresh in your 40s - do not let the 40 go by in the mundane -
When you are fresh in your 40s - do not let the 40 go by in the mundane -
without the fruits of your hard work being shared with others
without the fruits of your hard work being shared with others
Day after day there will be a hundreds of other patients ; the monotony will go on. but the forties will not wait.
Day after day there will be a hundreds of other patients ; the monotony will go on. but the forties will not wait.
Soon the 50s will roll in and then 60s and you would have had nothing to show for your 40s….
Soon the 50s will roll in and then 60s and you would have had nothing to show for your 40s….
Thankfully, for many, there is still time.
Thankfully, for many, there is still time.
Google Sites
Report abuse