The UK Hospital Fellowship Training

Dr. Robert (Fictional Name) was a consultant in the Department of Surgery in AIIMS, New Delhi. He went on a fellowship training program in a hospital in London, UK. 

As expected the doctors working in the London hospital were more concerned with operating and curing the patients in their care than in the training of the visiting doctors. Dr. Robert was not getting the opportunity of scrubbing and assisting the entire time he was in operation theatre (OT), as only a limited number of doctors can and assist in the operation. 

When he was not assisting in the operation, many times he could not observe the entire operation as the organs being operated were deep in the abdomen with the view being blocked by the body of the tall British surgeons. Due to this interrupted view, many times he could not follow and comprehensively understand the complete operation. 

 For Non-medicos: At the time of operation, the surgeons thoroughly wash their hands and forearms, known as scrubbing and wear a sterile gown. Other OT staff maintain a distance from these scrubbed surgeons and nursing staff, as touching them may lead to the transfer of infection-causing bacterias and other microorganisms. 

While others may just be satisfied by whatever exposure/training they may be getting, Dr. Robert was fired with a passion for learning. He did not want to waste even a single minute in the OT. So, when he was not assisting in an operation, Dr. Robert started spending his maximum time in the laparoscopic OTs.

For Non-medicos: In the open method of surgery, the surgeon makes a direct cut (incision) in the abdomen skin and muscles, exposing the organs and doing the operation. In the laparoscopic method, after making small tiny incisions or holes, the surgeon introduces thin instruments including a telescope with a camera attached to it, view the internal organs on a monitor screen and perform the surgery while indirectly watching it on the screen. 

Due to the 2-dimensional view, difficulty in depth perception, the restricted motion of the instruments inside the closed abdominal cavity, lack of touch sensation, etc., laparoscopic surgery is generally difficult as compared to open surgery and requires a longer time to learning. 

As the operation steps were displayed on the monitor screen it was easily seen by everyone in the OT. With a keen eye for detail, Dr. Robert observed the advanced laparoscopic surgery being done in the London hospital learning the steps while watching on the monitor.

When he came back to India, the started practicing the knowledge he had gained in the UK. Slowly with persistence and hard work, he did many advanced laparoscopic surgeries in AIIMS, New Delhi, such as laparoscopic surgery of Hiatus Hernia and Achalasia Cardia, Lap. CBD exploration and lap hernia repair. 

His skill improved so much that slowly other surgeons started noticing his expertise. As his fame increased, soon he was being called as faculty/teacher in many national surgical conferences and training programs to teach the new surgeons advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Many doctors and non-doctors when they go for training programmes, conferences, CMEs, workshop, attend them more for the certificate of participation than with a passion for learning. They may be present there in the body but their mind may be wandering away from the educational material. 

If you go for any training, give your 100% to re-learn or learn something new. Do not waste even a single moment. 

Even if direct explanation, mentorship, hands-on training may be missing, just by observing the masters with a keen scientific mind with an eye for detail, you can learn something new which may open the path to take you to greatness and glory.

(Based on allegedly true incident)

— ND

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purposes. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use the information herein is at your one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norms.