The Non-AIIMS GI Surgeon

After doing his Master of Surgery (MS) course in general surgery, the surgeon in India has the option of doing further super- specialization (Mch courses) in various surgical fields such as Cardiac surgery, Plastic and Aesthetic surgery, Urology, Gastro-intestinal or GI surgery, etc. The problem arises that there is a very limited number of seats in these super-specialization courses as most of these courses are being done in only a few apex institutes. Admission to these courses is by a tough entrance exam. Due to the limited number of seats many general surgeons are not able to get admission to these courses.

Dr. Sam (Fictional Name) did his MS in general surgery from AIIMS, New Delhi, the number one ranked Medical College in India for many years. He then appeared in the entrance exam for Mch GI Surgery in AIIMS. Unfortunately, he could not get selected for there. Undeterred, he appeared in and got selected for the Mch GI  Surgery course in another Delhi college.

After the results were declared one of Dr. Sam’s friends asked him about his future plan. Dr. Sam replied that he is going to join the Mch GI Surgery course at the Delhi College.

Dr. Sam’s friend, another AIIMS, New Delhi graduate was surprised. He said, ‘Sam, the GI Surgery department of that Delhi College is not as good as AIIMS. Being a new department, the number and complexity of surgical operations being performed there are much less as compared to AIIMS. So, why do you want to join there?

Dr. Sam replied, ‘Although AIIMS GI Surgery Department is much better surgically, if I join the Delhi College, I will be still getting a valid Mch degree in GI Surgery. This Mch degree, even from that Medical College is higher than my present MS general surgery degree from AIIMS.’

Everyone wants to move up in life. Students want to get a higher and higher degree, study in more and more premier colleges/institutes. An employee wants to hold higher and higher posts with more wages and responsibility.

The problem arises when the higher post you are getting is in a smaller company/organization as compared to your present situation. Or, the higher degree you are getting is from a less leading institute as compared to your present institute.

For the sake of growth and progress in life, one may have to make such counterintuitive decisions. As Dr. Sam thought, a higher degree from a lesser institute is better than a lower degree from a higher institute. A better job with more responsibility and remuneration in a smaller company/ organization can be better than lesser authority and lesser earning a job in a bigger organization.

— ND

(Based on allegedly true incidence.)

© Author. All rights reserved. 

Please share this post on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

If viewing from Mobile, switch to Webpage view to see a list of popular posts and index of topics of previous posts.

Please give your valuable feedback via the comments below. Please note that comments will appear later only after moderation. Please Log in with Google Id before writing comments.

You can receive a notification on the latest post by subscribing via clicking on the bottom of the page on the Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

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 norms.