AM I A VICTIM OF MY PROFESSION? VOLUME VI

AM I A VICTIM OF MY PROFESSION? VOLUME VI

Dr. Gangadhar Sahoo

In continuation of my ad-hoc posting as clinical tutor in OG department of VSS Medical College Burla, I will be narrating my experience as a surgeon in this Volume. 
Dr. Raut, Associate Prof.ObGy was the HOD in charge. When I was doing PG I had assisted Dr.Raut many times. At that time there was only two PG seats in Gynecology. So PG students were posted only with the professors. Dr. Raut being an assistant professor was devoid of that privilege. So I was assisting him as and when required. Almost it was a routine affair. I was the only PG student who had done an abdominal hysterectomy skin to skin being assisted by Dr. Raut. I was loved by him because of my sincerity and reliability. 
I was carrying that impression and relationship with Dr. Raut with me . After my ad-hoc posting,  I was assisting in his OT whenever needed. Almost after a gap of 3 years I entered into the OT . In the mean time I was  doing almost all varieties of conventional surgeries both major and minor in my previous place of posting as specialist. The OT setup was different. Many a time I had to do surgeries under local anaesthesia assisted by the OT staff sister. So I was feeling confident of doing any type of surgery. 
I assisted a few major cases and allowed to operate one side in abdominal hysterectomy. Other staffs were observing. Many a time my method of operation was the hot topic of discussion. I had heard Dr.Raut commenting, "Gangadhar has become slow. Most probably he had lost touch in the periphery in last 2 to 3 years. Let him assist a few cases, then operate one side under supervision before doing total abdominal hysterectomy assisted by seniors."                                                       
One incidence in OT is still dancing in front of my eyes. A case of early pregnancy around 8 weeks with a unilateral ovarian cyst was put up for MTP (medical termination of pregnancy) by suction evacuation(SE) followed by laparotomy. Dr. Raut asked me to do the SE and he would do the laparotomy. Under spinal anaesthesia the procedure was to be done. I did the SE. After the procedure, which took hardly 5 minutes, one of the faculties, Madam Priyadarshini who was observing my procedure asked me if I would administer injection ergometrine (an uterotonic given to reduce bleeding).
I replied in negative. I usually don't prefer to use ergometrine as routine. When the evacuation is complete, which can be felt clinically there is no requirement of using it. Madam Priyadarsini immediately told Dr. Raut that Gangadhar refused to administer ergometrine in spite of my suggestion which showed that he was overconfident. Dr Raut told her that during laparotomy we would confirm it. I was observing the laparotomy procedure. After opening the abdomen Dr. Raut first opened the uterine cavity to see if there's any product of conception (POC) left. He found nothing. Opening the uterine cavity to see for retained (POC) is quite unethical and a crime. I  was shocked by that act of lack of confidence on me. Though I was right in my decision still then I felt offended. 
Since my date of joining till that day I was not being accepted by Dr. Raut as a competent faculty. In every sphere whether it was in ward, outdoor or in OT I was treated like a foreign entity. I was always feeling demeaned and unwanted . My every act of commission or omission was criticized . I was feeling like a fish out of water. When it came to a saturation point I decided to quit medical college and go back to my previous place of posting which was still vacant. 
In the mean time a Government circular came that ad-hoc appointed officers could not claim seniority. Their seniority would be counted from the date of confirmation   by state PSC. That notice came as a blessing in disguise as if God had realized my pathetic condition. On that ground I applied for a transfer to my previous station as specialist Obstetrics and Gynecology. Government  was pleased to listen to my prayer and I was transferred back to my place. With a sigh of relief I thanked God and packed my luggage back to Deogarh. I had a dream to fulfill my Guru's wish, ‘Tell Gangadhar to join Medical College as a faculty the moment he gets a chance.’ I had joined medical college at the first chance. But the time had changed so also the environment within a short span . It was not conducive for me to survive. I felt unacceptable and defeated. 

Prof Gangadhar Sahoo is a well-known Gynaecologist. He is a columnist and an astute Academician. He was the Professor and HOD of O&G Department of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, Burla.He is at present occupying the prestigious post of DEAN, IMS & SUM HOSPITAL, BHUBANESWAR and the National Vice President of ISOPARB (INDIAN SOCIETY OF PERINATOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY). He has been awarded the BEST TEACHER AWARD of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE,BURLA in 2013. He has contributed CHAPTERS in 13 books and more than 100 Scientific Articles in State, National and International Journals of high repute. He is a National Faculty in National Level and delivered more than 200 Lectures in Scientific Conventions.He was adjudged the BEST NATIONAL SPEAKER in ISOPARB NATIONAL CONVENTION in 2016.