Name: Peddaputha Akbar Basha

Birth Place: Rayachoty, Andhra Pradesh, India

Academic Qualification: MBBS from Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India (Admission batch: 2020)

Languages you speak or write: English and Telugu

Welcome to our exploration of campus life. In this interview series, we engage in meaningful conversations with Peddaputha Akbar Basha who generously shares their experiences at the Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Priya: Hello Akbar, Welcome to Medbound Times. Please tell us something about your professional life.

Akbar : My professional life is like a blessing for me. Not everyone is fortunate, nor does everyone have the opportunity to secure admission in a government or private college for medical studies. It requires a lot of hard work during our 11th and 12th grade to achieve this goal. Finally, I feel incredibly fortunate and consider it a gift from God that I have been granted this professional life, having been a student at a government college.

I have been admitted to Kurnool Medical College, a medical college in India with 67 years of experience. This college has produced many renowned doctors, including Datsatriya, who has gained worldwide recognition. I believe that this institution is the perfect platform for serving our profession and our people, where we can use our hands to heal and express our emotions. It is a place where hard work is valued in every aspect. It involves saving lives and ensuring that our patients can experience all the emotions and connections that life has to offer. This journey promises to be a unique experience filled with different emotions. It is an awesome and joyful branch, as I have witnessed. Many refer to it as an early profession, perhaps due to its nature.

Priya: Why did you choose MBBS? Was becoming a doctor your childhood dream or were you inspired by certain individuals to pursue this profession?

Akbar: Yes, I was indeed inspired by my own experiences and observations from my childhood. Witnessing overcrowded hospitals where doctors were unable to treat all the patients left a lasting impact on me. Additionally, I came across a specific case, possibly through an RTI inquiry, involving a person who tragically passed away in a road accident, leaving their family in a vulnerable financial situation. This situation highlighted the lack of doctors available to handle such cases.

These experiences strongly fueled my desire to become a doctor and serve those who have limited financial resources. It has been a dream of mine since childhood to make a difference in the lives of people through medical care.

Certainly, I encountered difficulties when I developed an interest in biology and made the decision to pursue it as a career. The financial challenges it posed for my family were a concern, and they did express their worries when I chose to pursue the BIPC stream in my 11th and 12th grades. However, despite these concerns, I remained determined and persevered.

I am grateful that my determination paid off, as I succeeded in securing a seat in a government college. Becoming a doctor has always been my childhood dream, and I am excited to pursue it with passion and dedication.

Priya: What challenges and obstacles did you encounter during your preparation for NEET?

Akbar: Challenges for every student, especially during their teenage years, are numerous and varied. It is a phase where everything seems to be on the main stage, and we encounter various situations and responsibilities as students.

Taking care of us, like junior lecturers or senior lecturers, they provide continuous support by assigning tasks, providing guidance, and keeping us engaged. However, this often leads to insufficient sleep and inadequate food. Many challenges arise during our preparation, especially for non-resident students. Parents may pressure us to study constantly, leaving little time for relaxation or socializing with friends. Additionally, there is a debate regarding the appropriate study materials. Some suggest focusing on high-level reference books, while others argue that NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books alone are sufficient to crack the NEET exam. We encountered this dispute multiple times during our preparation and ultimately decided to prioritize the NCERT books since the exam follows a different pattern in each state. It becomes a different situation when we have to study both the state-specific books, which contain more detailed information, and the simplified NCERT books. Many students prefer the simplified version for easier understanding. In the end, choosing NCERT books for preparation is considered a wise decision.

Priya: It is said that NEET is currently facing intense competition, with high cut-offs for admission. How did you feel about successfully securing a seat in a government college on your first attempt? What was the feeling like?

Akbar: Cut-offs are increasing day by day due to the rising number of students appearing for the NEET exam. It's a significant increase, and it depends on the difficulty level of the exam. If the paper is easy, more candidates attempt it, leading to higher cut-offs for MBBS admissions. On the other hand, if the exam is difficult, the cut-off scores tend to decrease. The preference for NCERT as a base book is widespread across India, not limited to specific individuals. When the paper is easy, everyone focuses on it, intensifying competition among all categories of students, including toppers and average performers. However, if the paper is challenging or set at a high standard, the cut-off scores may decrease. In my opinion, for the OC or general category, a score of 560 or above is considered a safe zone for securing an MBBS seat, at least in a private college. Reservation policies also play a significant role in determining MBBS seats and cut-offs.

Priya: What was your mantra during preparation? How did you stay calm and stress-free during your preparation?

Akbar: Actually, I like to listen to songs a lot. After studying continuously for half an hour or one hour, I take a five-minute break to enjoy some music or engage in other activities like watching videos on YouTube for motivation, pranks, or entertaining content. This helps me relieve stress, and after a short break, I can refocus on my studies. I schedule my study sessions in a way that once I start reading, I try not to deviate from my study plan. Taking breaks and finding enjoyment in between study sessions helps me stay stress-free. However, some people prefer to study without taking any breaks and follow a strict schedule without interruptions. They might study for five minutes and then think about something for two minutes, following a specific pattern. While that approach works for them, I personally suggest and prefer taking small breaks or short intervals in between to enhance focus and concentration.

Priya: What are the rewarding points or benefits of getting selected in the first attempt?

Akbar: Getting selected in the first attempt is like society recognizing you as a top achiever and acknowledging your success. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and validation for your hard work. Additionally, when you are selected in the first attempt, you save on the fees you would have otherwise paid for additional attempts or coaching institutes. This can make it easier for you to complete your MBBS studies within the designated timeframe. By not wasting any years in between attempts, you can proceed with your MBBS journey without any interruptions. This allows you to graduate at a younger age compared to those who require multiple attempts. However, succeeding in subsequent attempts requires patience and determination, as it can be a more challenging path.

Priya: What do you learn from this profession or what is the best part of your profession?

Akbar: The best part of my profession is saving lives, which is the primary focus. Interacting with patients during their vulnerable moments, where they may be crying or expressing their worst emotions, is a unique aspect of this profession. While we may witness such moments in movies or videos, as healthcare professionals, we directly engage with patients in these situations. It requires bravery to effectively communicate and counsel them while they are in an emotional state. Good communication skills are essential in building a rapport with patients. Furthermore, obtaining consent from patients before providing treatment is crucial to avoid any potential disputes in the future. This profession relies heavily on establishing trust and maintaining a bond with patients, as without it, there is a risk of encountering difficult situations or even physical harassment.

Priya: Did your clinical practices begin in the second year of your medical education? If so, how would you describe your initial experiences during those days?

Akbar: As a medical student, when I first started my clinical duties, I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It was a significant transition from classroom learning to being actively involved in patient care. Waking up early in the morning and preparing for clinicals required a great deal of dedication and hard work. In the beginning, I would often think about how this experience would shape my future as a healthcare professional.

Once in the hospital, the reality of the busy environment became apparent. Government hospitals, especially on Mondays, would be flooded with a rush of patients seeking medical attention. The faculty members who were responsible for teaching us were also occupied and in a hurry to fulfill their duties. At times, it became challenging to grasp everything they were teaching amidst the chaos.

Moreover, patients would approach us with their concerns and questions. They would inquire about the duration of their treatment or how soon they could expect to recover. It was an interesting experience to be seen as a "doctor" by the patients, despite still being a medical student. This newfound responsibility gave me a sense of pride and reminded me of the immense trust patients place in healthcare professionals.

Overall, the initial days of clinical duties were a blend of excitement, challenges, and the realization of the unique position we hold as medical students in the eyes of the patients.