Patients-not just Images
Devoted to Education and Practice in Patient-centered Radiology
Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The Second Attempt
The Second Attempt
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
Exams come - exams go.
Exams come - exams go.
And if this happens to be a postgraduate examination in any of the medical specialities, a majority of those appearing will fail. The pass percentage at these examinations varies between 25% and 40% - more or less.
And if this happens to be a postgraduate examination in any of the medical specialities, a majority of those appearing will fail. The pass percentage at these examinations varies between 25% and 40% - more or less.
So chances of your failing are more than equal - unless you are exceptionally brightor very lucky.
So chances of your failing are more than equal - unless you are exceptionally brightor very lucky.
Easily said. But students who go through these gruelling theory and practical examinations , especially in radiology, are mostly those who have never failed a exam in all their life. They are invariably the brightest of the bright... the toppers.
Easily said. But students who go through these gruelling theory and practical examinations , especially in radiology, are mostly those who have never failed a exam in all their life. They are invariably the brightest of the bright... the toppers.
So the very thought of failing the MD or DNB radiology exam is foreign and abhorrent to these 'boys and girls' in their late 20s.
So the very thought of failing the MD or DNB radiology exam is foreign and abhorrent to these 'boys and girls' in their late 20s.
And here is the tory that inspired this essay.
And here is the tory that inspired this essay.
There once was a small, little boy - a radiology resident.
There once was a small, little boy - a radiology resident.
He was a simpleton of above average intelligence and very hard working; toiled hard and sincerely to complete the work assigned to him. He showed initiative in doing new things and following-up patients. I believed that he was one of the most hardworking residents I have ever seen in my life. This was true three years ago this is true now. Many of my colleagues too felt the same way.
He was a simpleton of above average intelligence and very hard working; toiled hard and sincerely to complete the work assigned to him. He showed initiative in doing new things and following-up patients. I believed that he was one of the most hardworking residents I have ever seen in my life. This was true three years ago this is true now. Many of my colleagues too felt the same way.
Observing him during case discussions, I found he would stumble a lot and seemed to have perfected the art of getting into trouble - almost prodding his teachers to ask questions he did not know the answers to. Many of us in the faculty discussed this amongst ourselves - trying to ensure that he could avoid this and be more confident in what he is saying.
Observing him during case discussions, I found he would stumble a lot and seemed to have perfected the art of getting into trouble - almost prodding his teachers to ask questions he did not know the answers to. Many of us in the faculty discussed this amongst ourselves - trying to ensure that he could avoid this and be more confident in what he is saying.
A few weeks before his final post graduate exam we had a series of teaching session for him and others and I was worried about his lack of confidence in himself and whether he would be able to face the practical examinations with confidence.
A few weeks before his final post graduate exam we had a series of teaching session for him and others and I was worried about his lack of confidence in himself and whether he would be able to face the practical examinations with confidence.
Exams came and results followed.
Exams came and results followed.
Of the four residents who had appeared for the examination, he was the only one who had failed.
Of the four residents who had appeared for the examination, he was the only one who had failed.
It was as if he had tarnished a 100% result from our department
It was as if he had tarnished a 100% result from our department
BUT no one held it against him because everyone knew that he was sincerity personified.
BUT no one held it against him because everyone knew that he was sincerity personified.
This resident was shattered; but everyone assured him -
This resident was shattered; but everyone assured him -
"It's OK to fail once in a while and there will always be a time for
"It's OK to fail once in a while and there will always be a time for
The Second Attempt
The Second Attempt
The second time came and this boy cleared his exams. The sense of relief that he and the whole department felt was quite palpable - something I have seldom seen in the past - everyone was relieved.
The second time came and this boy cleared his exams. The sense of relief that he and the whole department felt was quite palpable - something I have seldom seen in the past - everyone was relieved.
Six months of agony ended; but just six months in a lifetime!
Six months of agony ended; but just six months in a lifetime!
We should look at failing a post graduate medical examination dispassionately. These are not school exams.. but ones that have a good chance that you will fail. I keep saying that a hobby or an outdoor game that you can immerse yourself in will help you tide over the initial agonising day.
We should look at failing a post graduate medical examination dispassionately. These are not school exams.. but ones that have a good chance that you will fail. I keep saying that a hobby or an outdoor game that you can immerse yourself in will help you tide over the initial agonising day.
But that failure is not the end of the world. It is just the beginning of an opportunity.
But that failure is not the end of the world. It is just the beginning of an opportunity.
An opportunity to read more and more thoroughly and see more cases and learn and practice case discussions
An opportunity to read more and more thoroughly and see more cases and learn and practice case discussions
Every so often in life, when the usual takes its usual course and there are no of hurdles in your way - you take success for granted - often as a matter of fact.
Every so often in life, when the usual takes its usual course and there are no of hurdles in your way - you take success for granted - often as a matter of fact.
Once in awhile, things change - a failure comes your way. A failure is not something to aganoise about. Sometimes, failures tend to change your life - your career - in ways that you scarce imagined.
Once in awhile, things change - a failure comes your way. A failure is not something to aganoise about. Sometimes, failures tend to change your life - your career - in ways that you scarce imagined.
Ask me - I should know - it is because of a failure in my final MBBS examination that I am radiologist today.
Ask me - I should know - it is because of a failure in my final MBBS examination that I am radiologist today.
And finally, never ever worry about what others will think of you - when you fail ....
And finally, never ever worry about what others will think of you - when you fail ....
All that matters is what you think of yourself!
All that matters is what you think of yourself!
November 2019
November 2019