Elective Stories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36399/Surgo.2.490Abstract
During my elective at Apollo Hospitals in India, I had a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Working alongside renowned surgeons, I observed, learned, and assisted in various complex procedures, from aortic dissections to coronary artery bypass grafts. Witnessing the precision, skill, and decision-making required in each surgery was humbling and deeply inspiring, reinforcing my passion for this field. An eye-opening experience early on was observing a minimally invasive CABG performed in a robotics suite using the DaVinci system. It felt almost futuristic, as though I was watching a scene from a movie, making me appreciate just how advanced medical technology has become. Over the 4 weeks, I was continuously challenged. I had just one week to familiarize myself with the rhythm of cardiac surgeries before being taught various suturing and knot-tying techniques. By the end of the 3rd week, I was harvesting saphenous veins for CABG procedures, which as a relatively young medical student, felt like the epitome of my career so far and has cemented my life-long passion for this profession.
However, life in a private cardiac surgery institute was not all I expected. My time there also exposed me to the disparities in access to healthcare, especially outside of the NHS.
A particularly shocking moment occurred when a patient's family had to purchase their own supply of AB+ blood for surgery due to the hospital’s limited supply. This stark reality heightened my appreciation for the healthcare services provided by the NHS. I think as medical students rotating through various hospitals, we often find ourselves as outsiders integrating into established teams, making it harder for us to learn and fit in. This elective was a beautiful experience due to the warmth and inclusiveness of the team. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to cherish the vibrant culture of India, which made my time there all the more memorable and I hope to rejoin them for my senior elective next year.
