Matiram Pun on clinical medicine vs research
29 May, 09 | by BMJ Group
I developed a strong interest in medicine and becoming a doctor at the beginning of high school. I liked the idea of being of service, the social respect doctors are afforded, and the bread and butter (financial reward) was fair enough.
So I worked hard to realise my dream. There is no substitute for hard work and believing in oneself. It paid off. I got a scholarship and started medical school, which I enjoyed very much.
Sometimes, though, something else comes along and you think: “Perhaps I’ll start this and will enjoy it more.”
While learning basic science at medical school, the professor who taught me physiology was a board certified clinician from the US who was involved in a number of physiological and clinical research to do with mountain medicine and high altitude physiology.
His name is Dr Buddha Basnyat from Nepal. He did a thesis-based Masters degree in physiology from Calgary, Canada, and then internal medicine, as well as a fellowship from the USA.
Armed with these degrees, he returned to Nepal to teach medical students, practice medicine, and do research. Now he mentors young doctors and medical students who are researching mountain medicine, high altitude physiology and tropical medicine.
His different style of thinking (combined with a traditional way of teaching which he juggles with a busy clinical practice), and the encouragement he gives to young doctors, has inspired many of us to think about resarch and publication.
In 2003, a Nepali society of mountain medicine (Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology) was established. He guided and supported to the young doctors.
The society is active in research, organising workshops and journal clubs in Nepal. It has enabled us to know what research is and how a research paper is written.
He introduced us to Student BMJ, BMJ, Lancet, and many other journals. He always encouraged us to read and write rapid responses.
His strategy has already borne fruit. Two of the society’s members (Kausha Raj Pandey and Siddartha Yadav) have already become BMJ Clegg Scholars. Some have started publishing in very good journals. This is amazing.
So I got fascinated with all these and involved myself in many activities. Research seemed something that we can enjoy contributing to alongside clinical medicine.
This is why I’ve now joined a thesis based graduate program in Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology (MMHAP) at the University of Calgary, Calgary (Canada).
So, being a hard-working doctor from the very competitive third world is fantastic. I’m practicing clinical medicine, but undertaking research is even more fantastic.
As I can see many Westerners do master’s in physiology or even PhD before entering medical school. I’m just doing it a different way round.
By the way, I’m not going to quit clinical medicine. I like the idea of doing clinical research alongside. In the mean-time, I’ll be concentrating on the program.
Competing interest: I’m secretary of Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal (MMSN) and one of the students of Buddha Basnyat. I have recently joined master’s program (Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology) in University of Calgary, Calgary (AB). I would like thank Buddha Basnyat and program coordinator Prof Marc J Poulin.
Dear Mati,
Indeed, it is amazing to note how one person can influence a generation. Dr. Buddha has been a constant source of inspiration for all of us out here. It was during one of his classes that I first heard about the BMJ and the importance of research in medicine. Not stopping there, he has provided us with the rare opportunities to take part in his research work, discuss papers and share our ideas with him. I wonder if I would have ever been interested in research if I had not met him.
In a country like Nepal where research and publication are still words that are out of reach of medical students and junior doctors, we need more doctors like Dr. Buddha who can make us think beyond the ‘conventional’ roles of a clinician here. Thank you Dr. Buddha and thank you Mati for bringing this up.
Siddhartha
Siddhartha Yadav
May 31st, 2009 at 6:51 pm
medical research is indeed one of the most needed aspect for health in developing countries.
we need to have more mentors just like Dr Basnyat.
bishnurath.
Bishnu Rath Giri
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 am
well said.
getting into research, esp for third world students, on top of that a practicing doctor, is indeed a hard choice.
not all can afford that, many bound by social duty to be a bread winner and others bound/ blinded by the monetary lure.
But thanks to people like Dr. Basnyat some of us have indeed succeeded in getting off with a good start.
i hope we will have more such mentors and their mints in the arena of research, from the different sphere of the globe.
santosh
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hi Sid, Bishnu and Santos,
Yes definitely we need more and more such mentors who would encourage us and give some break or opportunity to work in the project so that we could learn basics of research and academic activity. Then we could see if we are interested. If we are, we could go for it and explore; if not we would have something wonderful experience and pursue our another passion or interest.
What is frustrating about many in our part of the world; many don’t think we should be doing. Some are doing but they are so tall and intimidating that we can never learn anything from them except the fear in presence of them - whether be in class, round, conference or somewhere. They are seen in the vechicles, papers, conferences and sometimes in classess or hospital but they will not respond to you except nodding when you say “Namaste” (many a time that too doesn’t happen though)!
If we ask for the break for something academic work, you are most likely discouraged. We have many such experiences. When you ask for recommendation, they will not! I have experiences of that kind. They are busy with many others like politics and NGOs etc etc. If they make involved, they will get you a bag to carry of their political ideology and teach something like that to talk baseless, paradoxical and misleading. We have seen.
There are many who are smart ones but they intentionally and deliberately keep their distance from us. I don’t know why!
Let’s hope there will be others too to encourage us.
Thanks!
Best wishes,
mati
Matiram Pun
June 4th, 2009 at 3:43 am