Helping medical students become better doctors

Recently I was invited to deliver a lecture for residents of a specialty. The event was organized by members of a society of that specialty, and the editorial board members of the journal that this society runs. They had indicated that 80 residents had registered and there was a possibility of the number going up to around 100 residents. At that event, there were other speakers who were speaking on different aspects of research. 

I was given an hour to cover two topics. I usually ask for an hour for each of my topics. Recognizing that the hosts were trying to cover a lot in one day, I was happy to cover both in an hour. It of course meant that I had to do a fair amount of reworking of my presentations to see what would be the most important parts that I needed to retain and how I would crunch things. Again, I was glad to do this for such an event. 

On the day, I reached the venue and I was rather surprised to find only 15 residents there. And, the event was running late by an hour. It was disconcerting. I was hoping more people would walk in, but it was barely a couple more that did. I was thinking to myself "why am I doing so much for events like this". 

Later, I learned from the organizers that they had done similar events in other cities, and had had a much larger number of attendees. It was only in our city that the turn out was low. They also mentioned that sometimes seniors / faculty, do not let residents attend such events. (This often happens when there is a large patient load, but again, that is a more or less regular occurrence in India)  One of the leading officers of the Society and Journal said "We will keep doing this event, even if there are very few people".  I then decided that I too would help them - if they invited me another time I would go again!

In mid November, I conducted one workshop in a medical college in Patiala, near Chandigarh. Here we had a total of around 30 participants, mostly postgraduate residents and a small number of faculty members.I also delivered three lectures at an event organized by the Nursing Research Society of India for around 240 members of the Nursing profession - a mix of Postgraduate students, PhD Scholars and faculty

In early December, I delivered lectures at two colleges - one for those studying Ayurveda and one for those studying Homeopathy.The target audience were of 50 and 40 postgraduate residents.

Thank you again for your support!

I would once again remind - please do not donate to us via GlobalGiving, till the issue with the Govt of India gets resolved. We hope it does very soon, as GlobalGiving is important to us. 

If getting a tax exemption is not crucial to you, do consider donating to us directly via - https://www.qmed.ngo/donate-dm

Wishing a you a great holiday season!

Vasumathi

In the recent times some young doctors who had attended our workshops during their residency days got in touch with us - just to say hello, and let us know that our workshops are still helping them. We asked some of them if they would send a short video clip to share about the usefulness. 

Here is Dr Saurabha - telling us how what she learned helps her in her job in the National Centre for Disease Control in India. Saurabha and some of her batchmates have always been spreading the word about our workshops to their juniors too. 

We recently conducted two workshop in a hospital. While most participants were consultants and residents from the hospital, they accommodated some outside healthcare workers too. We had two medical students who shared with us:

• I am an undergrad and would love to learn more and explore new courses

• Thank you ma’am for this amazing workshop. Didn’t know how to access and use the different options available on PubMed before this. A must -attend lecture for all UGs

We also had one doctor from the hospital who has promised to help spread the word about our workshops and online courses. 

Here are some comments on our Online Courses

• This is something that I feel all medical students – especially post graduates should know. However it is one of the most underrated aspects of medical education. The course was flawless.
  - A Surgeon
  
  
• I saw the video lectures on how to search for medical literature and I want to salute you for your clarity, expression and above all the humongous effort to make the video on such an important topic. I have immense respect for what you have done. May God bless you!
  - A Surgeon
  
  
• Excellent Madam, I am really enjoying this course. It is as if slowly the things are becoming much clearer
  - Prof of Community Medicine - (half way through the course)

Every such comment and testimonial makes me want to thank every single donor for making all this happen! We hope to be flooded with more and more of such good words. Do check out the link with all testimonials and also do check the link to our Online Courses. 

Thank you once again for everything!

Links:

• Our Online Course Platform
• Students Speak - Testimonials we receive