You Just Don’t Get It Bro…

Things non-medicos just don’t (and won’t) understand

What comes to your mind when you hear the word medico? White coat? Stethoscope? Thick textbooks? Bespectacled, nervous young human being? All of the above (Basically Deepika Padukone from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani)? 

Do you believe that we bury ourselves under the books for a decade or so and come out on the other side like a Gray’s Anatomy model, all rich and glamorous? Do you believe that our favourite textbook is ‘1001 investigations must for any disease’? Do you believe that stabbing people with injection needles is the most physical contact we get because our social life is a dud?

Then you, my friend, need to read this. Here are some of the more ignorant things we hear through our medical journey. The explanations provided are a one-time offer. We are not going to repeat ourselves because we’re sure that… you just won’t get it, bro!

1.         “Ee two years kashta padithe chaalu, MBBS lo full ga enjoy cheyochu” (If you work hard these two years, you can enjoy your MBBS fully)

If you’re from Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, and you have had the misfortune of studying your Inter, or +2 in a certain prep institute (Ugh! Name withheld to avoid bringing back horrid memories), then in all probability you’ve heard this statement. 

Now, don’t get me wrong; MBBS did have its fun moments. The thrill of wearing your white coat and steth, the awe of entering the dissection halls, the fun hostel moments- we have had it all. BUT, graduation in the medical field means going through an extremely stressful course, and there is always a moment (or in my case, many moments) when you wonder: Why the heck did I think this would be a good idea?

2.         “MBBS seat vaste chaalu, life set inka” (If you get an MBBS seat, your life is set)

Lol.

What lies! Worse than promises made at any political party rally! Colder than the bureaucracy apathy! Who said that an MBBS seat is enough? Ever since my first year itself, every nosy aunty (Not you, Lexiamma! You’re lovely.) I have ever met, has asked me: “next enti ayte amma? Dermatology ah, Radiology ah?” (So, what’s next Ma? Dermatology or Radiology?) 

Number one, how dare you?

3. Some specialties are easier and better because they’re high paying and “all you have to do is sit in an A/C room and prescribe high-cost medicine”

Following up on no. 2, a lot of non-medicos think specialties like Dermatology and Radiology are the IDEAL jobs, especially for women (*cough* sexism *cough*) because “all you have to do is sit in A/C, just look at the patient, prescribe some medicines, and BAM! You’re like ₹500 richer. Also, “you can easily plan a family” because a medical career or no medical career, they won’t let a woman forget her original purpose: being a ‘baby-dispensing kiosk.’

Sigh. Aside from those two specialties requiring immense depths of knowledge, there is literally no such thing as an ‘easy’ speciality – each and every part of medicine – clinical, para-clinical or non-clinical – is important and indispensable in its own way. 

4.         “Doctor ah?! Inkenti, full ga dabbulu vastai gaaaa” (Doctor?! So, you’re gonna be earning a lot, na!) 

*Cries in student loans*

*Watches tik-tok celebs show-off their riches and cries more*

5.         “Doctors prescribe all these unnecessary tests just so they can make more money. Leg operation kosam ECG enduku? (Why should they take an ECG for a leg operation?)”

6.         Actual conversation that I wish I was making up, but has happened so many times I’ve lost count:

Random uncle: Em chestunavu amma? (What are you doing now?)

Me: MBBS 2nd year uncle. 

Uncle: MBBS ah? Andarni podichestunava ayte? (literal transl: are you stabbing everyone then? Context: so, basically he’s asking if I’m giving injections already)

Me: hahahahaha no, uncle, we don’t give injections to anyone yet.

Uncle: Oh… looks confused.

Me: I probably need some practice. Should I bring my homework bundle?

*Uncle faints*

Ok that last part was probably made up. It’s so cute how people think we know how to give injections the moment we enter MBBS, when honestly I barely know how to auscultate with the stethoscope. (LoL! Just Kidding! Don’t tell my examiners! *nervous laugh*)

7.         “OMG You’re a medical student? You must have no social life, poor thing!” 

This is SO not true. It’s called work-life balance, hello? 

Basically, enthaina… maa kashtalu maavi (in the end… our struggles are ours). But despite all the ranting, we wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂

Written By:

Anjali Mediboina

Final Year Medical Student

ASRAM

Anjali Mediboina, a final year medical student is a music aficionado with a passion for the arts. An avid reader, she found her love for writing during lockdown.

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