'Allow housemen to report bullying without fear'

FOR almost two decades, Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan has dedicated his life to teaching medical students and training the country’s postgraduate doctors to become specialists.

A well-respected educator, the consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist is heartbroken by the recent death of a houseman, who had on April 17 fallen from a building in George Town.

Believed to be the second death involving a junior doctor in two years, the incident led Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to announce that an independent task force would be set up to investigate the case and also the alleged bullying culture at the Penang Hospital.

Calling for more to be done to protect our young doctors, Dr Tharmaseelan shared how house officers (HOs) are supervised by at least a dozen seniors comprising medical officers (MOs), trainee MOs, registrars, clinical specialists, specialists, senior specialists, and the department head.

“The HO, who is at the lowest rung of the hierarchy, has to complete the six-month training at the department ‘satisfactorily’.

This depends on the subjective ‘view and opinion’ of the supervisors.

“Even the ‘objective oral test’ becomes subjective depending on the specialist who is tasked to examine him,” he said, adding that the system creates the environment and opportunity for bullying to take place.

Some nurses too, seeing the HOs being bullied, jump on the bandwagon, leaving the HOs with no one to turn to.

“The findings of a transparent independent inquiry by specialists from another hospital must be published and action taken against the perpetrators responsible for this young doctor’s death,” he said, adding that HOs must be allowed to report cases of bullying directly to the ministry without fear of repercussions.

“We also have to look at why such things are happening and to understand our housemen better so that we can help them prepare better for a career in medicine.

“Being a doctor is not for everyone.

You must have the aptitude and attitude,” he noted.

In conjunction with Teachers Day tomorrow, Dr Tharmaseelan speaks to StarEdu about education, medicine and what keeps him going.

> What would you like to share with our aspiring doctors?

Specialise even if you want to become a general practitioner.

That’s the future of an ever-evolving field like medicine.

You need to keep abreast of the changes.

The desire to serve must be your motivation.

Doctors have to be selfless, humble, simple and empathetic to their patients.

Medicine is a calling. You are the chosen one so you must live up to your calling.

> Did you always want to be a doctor?

Most Indian parents in those days groomed their children to either become a doctor or a lawyer.

Since I was in the pure science stream, I opted for medicine.

I was a debater from primary school to my university days. That probably drew me to law.

Having done medicine, I chose to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The birth of a child is the most cherished and meaningful moment in anyone’s life.

That treasured golden moment becomes etched in one’s heart forever.

The ability to help others experience these moments must be my calling.

> What is your advice to housemen struggling to cope?

Each posting is only for six months.

It will fly by if you strengthen your resolve to complete it. Manage your time well.

Be pleasant and polite to everyone.

Show enthusiasm. Be prepared and keep on learning.

Read about cases you come across every day.

Every problem has a solution.

Ask your seniors, including nurses, for help.

My three sons underwent their housemanships and had their fair share of being bullied but they took it in stride and considered it as part of the learning experience.

The pressure cooker environment moulded them into mature professionals and they are able to develop excellent working relationships with their colleagues at all levels.

You spent six years to become a doctor, don’t let it go to waste.

Don’t let your family down. If you are depressed, talk to your family or loved ones.

Seek professional help.

Life is precious, especially yours.

Take a break if need be – indulge in leisure activities or sports and interact with others.

> What is your philosophy on education?

Always give your best. Help everyone in any way you can.

Lifelong learning allows you to become a well-rounded person who is better equipped to do this.

There is no limit to what you can achieve with an active brain and a healthy lifestyle.

Age is just a number.

> You are a medical specialist, educator and soon-to-be lawyer. Which of these professions is closest to your heart?

To assist others is the aim.

This is where medicine, academia and law are intertwined.

My passion lies in the symbiotic relationship between these three professions.

I have taken a year’s sabbatical from teaching and am keeping my options open.

Law is a new passion.

I will need to get a feel of the profession before deciding whether my final professional journey will be a career in academia or the legal profession.

Litigation and criminal law appear to be exciting.

I can use my knowledge of medicine to specialise in medical negligence.

> What do you do in your free time?

I collect stamps, coins, telephone cards and hotel room cards. I also have a large collection of Ganesha statues and I love gardening.

I used to be addicted to books, particularly those by Stephen King, John Steinbeck and Leon Uris but time is at a premium now so I don’t get to read as much.

I enjoy travelling and have visited some 70 countries with my family.

Now, it is time for spiritual journeys. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was able to make a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a holy destination for Hindus.

I go hiking and have scaled Mount Kinabalu, Mount Machu Picchu (Peru), Adam’s Peak (Sri Lanka) and Tirupathi (India).

To keep fit, I walk or jog daily covering at least 20,000 to 30,000 steps, in addition to stair climbing, yoga and aerobics.

During the MCO, I had improved on my culinary skills and I have just started guitar lessons.