Page 19 - Plasticos-Vol-3

V O L 3 2019 I S S U E
abroad. Paid fellowships do help you a lot
in this regard. If not paid, probably you may
need to save money to be there. Named
fellowships are more prestigious, look good
on the biodata and surgeons tend to accept
such candidates for training easier. A lot of
trainees fancy fellowships abroad than in
India as it is widely felt that they are more
valuable and do not do fellowships in India.
Although I do feel that going abroad for a
while is definitely useful as it gives one a very
different outlook especially while interacting
with patients, it is wise to do a fellowship in
India as it gives you ideas of the local needs,
challenges and is a stepping stone for you
to learn more when you go abroad. Certain
countries require you to pass qualifying
exams like USMLE, MRCS or IELTS. It is better
that you clear them early so that you can avail
more opportunities. Fellowships are only
a part of your life, and it needs discussion
with your spouse and family regarding the
duration, place of stay and the other variables
Pen your thoughts to paper
After noting down the pros and cons of each
fellowship, it is advisable that you write it
down as it brings in lot more clarity to your
mind. Tabulate the different variables against
each fellowship and rate your choices as Plan
A, Plan B, Plan C and so on. The next challenge
is to get to the place that you want. For that,
you must know what the bosses expect.
What do the bosses want?
The great hand surgeon Dr.Harold Klienert
once answered this question by saying, “
I don’t mind even a monkey as long as it is
an interested monkey”. This very well sums
up what they look for. Most surgeons do
not place great academic achievements as
the most important yardstick. They look for
a humble interested person with a good
attitude, work ethics and who will look after
the patients well. They also look out for a
person who can contribute to the growth
of the unit in terms of research or by other
means. One can’t find out a good worker with
biodata and other awards. This is the main
reason why most bosses look for a good letter
of recommendation from a known and trusted
person in the same field. Egro et al1 surveyed
the Aesthetic surgery Fellowship directors in
the USA, and they finally concluded that what
mattered most in selecting candidates for
fellowships were letters of recommendation
from well established plastic surgeons,
the candidate’s interpersonal skills, overall
interview performance, professionalism and
ethics shown by the candidate. The above
variables were considered more important
than the marks scored in exams, number
of research papers and the awards got.
Today’s job is your best
passport for a good fellowship
Although letters of recommendation are given
to a lot of people, there is a difference in the letters
of recommendation given to a good candidate.
The programme director may take extra effort
in personally calling the fellowship director or
even give a better letter of recommendation.
This extra effort by the programme director
comes only when the candidate has been a
good selfless worker. Good work ethics like
being punctual, caring for patients well, good
communication skills, following rules and
regulations, attitude you show in your work
and going beyond the call when the condition
needs are the main things that will get you a
good letter of recommendation. Having good
interpersonal skills are very important and
it is very important that everyone from the
housekeeping worker to the consultant are
happy with you. Being haughty and not being
a team player will definitely cost you a lot as
someone would always give a bad feedback
to your boss. So the best way to get a good
letter of recommendation and going ahead in
life is to do your work as best as you can today.
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