MBBS

4.5 years back, when I entered this college, I didn't have the slightest idea about things I would go through. Different culture, different people. Countless hours in the clinics, trying to understand what a patient goes through, countless hours with the books, trying to understand the disease that made those patients suffer.

I would look at my seniors and professors, working day and night and wonder, what does it take to be a doctor? Studying hard, yes, but that wasn't the complete answer. Just the knowledge won't drive one to give everything he's got. There has to be something else as well. As days kept passing, I would doubt myself even further if I'd ever be worthy enough to treat those patients. Over the years as my interaction with patients increased, I finally realized what the missing component was. Empathy. My path was clear then. I had to get through MBBS but I also had to make myself understand the plight of a patient better. Only then will I be worthy.

My final year results were announced today. I passed. After 4.5 years, I am finally a doctor. This makes me so happy and proud. However, I am much happier about the fact that by the time I passed final year, I have a much better understanding of what it means to be a doctor. Now I know, every time I see any doctor, about the mental, physical and emotional struggles he has been through. I know what goes inside a doctor's mind when he sees an ailing patient. My journey has made me respect them even more. In these terrible times, when we need more doctors than ever, I am delighted to finally be a part of this noble fraternity. To all the maladies that plague humanity, here I come.

-Dr Harsh Srivastava