Thoughts on life after postgraduation.….

Sir,

We students, after our completion of postgraduation, will be exposed to a new world with our minds full of doubts about what to do next. We feel that entering into the field as an independent practitioner is not an easy task, and we will have to face numerous challenges like building a rapport with the surgeons, independently handling them, gaining their trust, dealing with medico-legal cases and the like. We will have to gain recognition not only from the general public and media, but also from our surgical and nursing colleagues.[1] Better communication with surgeons and good patient education will improve the image of an anaesthesiologist in the eyes of the layman.[2]

Currently, the number of anaesthesiologists is increasing, and the job opportunities for them in tier 1 and 2 cities have decreased. Is there a good demand for upcoming anaesthesiologists? Should we then go in for doing superspecialisation? Superspecialisation can probably help one to gain social prestige and further job opportunities; however, it involves another three stressful years without much pay. Another doubt is regarding job opportunities abroad and monetary benefits. Will our anaesthesia qualifications acquired in India be accepted abroad?

Also, by the time a person finishes postgraduation, he/she would be nearing the thirties in age and it will be a high time to settle down in life. The pressure to earn money, clear educational loans if any and make savings also doubles the confusion.

In this modern era, professional career is as important as personal life and it is hard to choose one over the other. In case of a female doctor, the conflict between career and marriage always exists. That is why, a majority of female doctors prefer to marry a doctor. In a country like India, with a patriarchal society wherein many consider the females to be more family oriented, getting married to a non-medico would be like choosing personal life at the cost of professional career. It will certainly be difficult for the non-medico spouses to understand a doctor's profession well, and they will find it difficult to cope up with their doctor wives working on holidays and at odd hours. Because of unexpected emergency works, the female anaesthesiologist may miss important social gatherings and family functions, which at times can lead to marital disharmony, stress and psychosocial breakdown.[1] Lack of time for family can become a ground for divorce in such situations. Pursuing a superspeciality course for an anaesthesiologist girl married to a non-medico boy will definitely prove to be cumbersome as she will have to stay away from her family and divert her attention towards work and studies. The better monetary payment and social status of the medico wife may induce an inferiority complex in the non-medico partner.

Another issue is that of a female anaesthesiologist marrying a surgeon. In such a situation, both can excel in their respective careers by working together for cases. This arrangement also has a psychological benefit as the other person understands very well the professional challenges faced by an anaesthesiologist; nevertheless, both being overburdened will have little time for family and childcare. In case they want to pursue higher studies, one of them will have to give up the superspeciality aspirations for the sake of the spouse.

Also, ego clashes and fights between anaesthesiologists and surgeons in the operation theatre are not very uncommon; these quarrels can reach home and can affect their personal life. To summarise, life after postgraduation is a big question mark.

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.