Name: Dr. Hannah Jose (MedBound hanlde: @hannahjose)
Birth Place: Kerala, India
Educational Qualification: MBBS from Government Medical College Kottayam, Kerala, India (2011-2017)
MD (Community and Family Medicine) from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, India (2019-2022)
What are you doing currently?
I am working as a primary care physician in Dubai.
How was your initial experience with clinical initiation, clinical rotations, or bedside learning?
I was curious and open to learning new things, but I realized during the first few days that it was going to be an extremely long process.
Could you share some humorous, peculiar, or unforgettable experiences you've had while working in a clinical ward? Feel free to recount any interesting incidents.
One day during my surgery rotation as a house surgeon, I was assigned the task of informing patients regarding the tests to be done the next day. But I could only do the rounds very late, almost at 2 am. While writing FBS and PPBS for an elderly woman patient, I dozed off, sitting beside her bed. The patient was also half asleep and got scared seeing me.
What are your thoughts on outpatient clinics (OPD) as an integral part of the medical profession? Do you find it enjoyable /challenging or dull and boring?
It is enjoyable and challenging. OPDs address 80% of the conditions of the majority of the Indian population. I genuinely think that good OPDs with excellent facilities and doctors are the need of the hour to make the health system more organized and cost-effective.
What are your thoughts on indoor/ward/floor duties in a hospital? Could you share what aspects you appreciate and what aspects you find challenging or dislike?
In government colleges, we can find patients made to lie in floor and verandas. I feel that they deserve more facilities. The government should invest more money to provide health for all that too without compromising on the quality. Admitting more number of patients than the hospital capacity cannot ensure quality care. The number of health care professionals are also less and this has a high impact on their work life balance.
What are some of your favourite procedures or activities that you enjoy while working in hospitals or outpatient clinics (OPDs)?
Health education
What are some procedures or activities that you dislike or prefer to avoid while working in hospitals or outpatient clinics (OPDs)?
Seeing Postmortems
Can you describe your experience during your clinical rotations? What departments did you rotate through and which one was your favourite(s)?
Surgery was my favourite.
The government should invest more money to provide health for all that too without compromising on the quality.Dr. Hannah Jose
What are some of the least favourite aspects or activities for you while on duty in a hospital?
Unorganized shifts and on-calls. This takes away time to invest in oneself.
If you could change one aspect of how doctors and medical students work or operate in hospitals or outpatient clinics (OPDs), what would it be?
Mostly in hospitals, personal health of healthcare professionals are not given importance. I would like to change this.
How do you handle or perceive night calls/shifts? What is your take on In-house calls?
I dislike night calls. If I am given a choice, I would like to not do it.
How do you manage the food situation while you are on duty in the hospital or during your work shifts?
I know the food items that are good for my health. I learned it the hard way, but I am doing it now. Sometimes, I cook, or I buy, but mostly I choose food items that suit my health.
How do you like to spend your leisure time when you're not working or on duty?
Spending time with family, watching movies, and shopping.
If you had the opportunity to choose an alternative specialty, career, or role at this point, what would you switch to? What factors or reasons would influence your decision?
Medical Writing
If you could choose any medical institution, place, or destination to work at, what would be your dream choice? What factors make it an appealing option for you?
This is a long shot, but I think it is worth it. I want a workplace that provides excellent learning opportunities to make myself better.
Could you describe your ideal workplace and the factors that make it desirable for you?
Any workplace that offers good learning opportunities to enhance my skills and knowledge.