Life and learning at Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research - 2

Welcome to part 2 of our conversation with Vishal KR ((MedBound handle :@Vishal KR))

Vishal KR: The effectiveness of teaching methods can vary from person to person. Some professors excel at teaching, and their classroom instruction, presentation, and notes are often more than sufficient for students. However, based on my observations in my college and many others, it seems that some teachers may not cover the entire content from the textbook. They might only cover about half of it, requiring students to go through the textbook themselves and make additional notes.

Regarding coaching, it largely depends on how an individual prefers to prepare. If someone can prepare effectively on their own using standard textbooks and question banks, they can certainly do so without the need for additional coaching materials. However, for those who require assistance, there are options like using coaching resources such as "Marrow" or other materials available in the market.

Personally, I believe in self-study. I have purchased standard textbooks and am referring to them on my own. Meanwhile, some of my friends are using "Marrow" once or twice, and I occasionally watch a few videos from it.

Vishal KR: In my second year of studies, we had a community medicine posting that required us to visit various households. During one of these visits, I went to a house where only an elderly lady in her 80s resided. This lady's son was her primary caregiver, and he visited her once every 15 days or once a month, as he lived far away in the city.

When I entered her house and started asking questions, she began to cry and held my hand. She pleaded with me not to leave her alone because she needed someone to share her sorrows with. This deeply touched me because, despite having neighbors nearby, it seemed like no one cared about her or inquired about her basic needs. She was in severe distress, suffering from dehydration, pitting edema, and abdominal pain. I felt incredibly helpless because I was just a student at that time.

However, I decided to approach my professor and informed her about the situation with this patient. My professor acted swiftly and referred the elderly lady to our hospital for treatment. She is now doing better and responding to treatment. This experience left a lasting impact on me, and I still visit her occasionally.

Vishal KR: The students in our class are quite diverse we have students from various parts of India like Madhya Pradesh, and even as far as Manipur and Assam. Few are from outside Bangalore but have settled here. This diversity brings a unique mix of backgrounds and cultures.

There is a cultural barrier that we encounter. Inside the classroom, the medium of instruction is primarily English. However, when we venture into practical settings, especially during visits to rural areas, the teaching often happens in a regional language, like Kannada. Some students who are from outside Karnataka have adapted and started learning Kannada, allowing them to understand better in these situations.

For those who are not familiar with the language, the college offers contacts who provide weekly or fortnightly classes in Kannada. This allows students to gradually learn the language and bridge the gap in their understanding.

Vishal KR: Personally, I also had a dislike for biochemistry because it often felt like a dry subject that required extensive memorization without much logical understanding. Unlike subjects like anatomy, where you can apply practical knowledge, biochemistry often involves rote memorization of facts and complex chemical pathways. While in anatomy, you can draw from what you've seen during cadaver dissections, in biochemistry, there are limited diagrams to rely on, primarily related to cellular structures like DNA or cell membranes.

Furthermore, the subject is filled with long and complex chemical terms and pathways, like glycolysis, which may not always seem directly relevant to the clinical practice of medicine. It can be challenging to see the point of memorizing these pathways when they don't appear to have an immediate connection to the diseases you're treating.

The teaching of biochemistry can vary, and if the faculty members aren't engaging or fail to make the subject interesting, it can further contribute to the overall perception of it being a boring subject.

Vishal KR: Rewards in the medical field often go beyond financial or material gains. There's a profound sense of self-satisfaction that comes from witnessing a patient respond positively to our treatment and eventually overcome their illness. When a patient expresses gratitude as if the disease has been completely cured, it's a deeply rewarding moment.

As a student, when I inquire about their symptoms and reassure them that everything is normal and they simply need to continue with frequent check-ups, their genuine appreciation and blessings are immensely fulfilling. This kind of gratification might be unique to the medical profession, setting it apart from many other careers.

Vishal KR: Whatever has happened until now is in the past, and we are starting our lives fresh. Enjoy the journey as we embark on our MBBS program. It's just as challenging as any other field of study, but the difference is that we'll be learning more than ever before. Our purpose is to save lives, so embrace the learning process.

Find joy in your studies and don't view them as a burden. Take advice from senior. Strive balance between your academic work with extracurricular activities. Remember, it's essential not to get burned out. That's all I wanted to share. I hope this message reaches at least one person and inspires them with my story.