The Paradigm Shift - Medical Education

 The Paradigm Shift of Medical Education.

This Blog is in continuity of my last blog.

Medical Education has seen a slow Paradigm Shift.

Pre Independence and early Post Independence....almost till 1950-60,Medical Education was predominantly male dominated,mostly perceived by affluent class.
Reason....a very long and expensive course compared to other professional courses.
The girls in the family couldn't even Dream of becoming Doctor and were neither encouraged nor allowed to pursue Medical course.
In my family, except for a distant aunt from my Maternal side,nobody in the family ...males or females ,opted nor were encouraged to pursue MBBS inspite of scoring good marks and even topping the entire District and University. Reason- Long,Expensive.

In such an Era of Indian Society, my husband 's Nanaji ,who was LMP( Licensed Medical Practitioner) in a small village near Irkal,Maharashtra, sent my MiL to a private Medical College at Manipal ,Karnataka to study MBBS.
Sending a Girl Child to pursue a 5 and half year course ,so far away from home,and alone......

When I received my admission letter for the same course from MGIMS, Sewagram  near Nagpur.....except my Father,every one raised doubts.....how will a Girl Child stay away from home,alone and for such long duration. Many advised my Father not to send me .....Reason- Medical students do Love Marriage. Girls staying in hostel misuse the freedom and MBBS required a long stay in hostel .

But,fortunately, my Father " allowed "me to join MGIMS, Sewagram only after I promised to only study and not misuse my freedom in Hostel.
And,yes,I stuck to my promise and proved all of those who always doubted me for entire 5and half years away from home and my Post graduation years in Mumbai.

Today,my daughter too is pursuing MBBS and is studying away from home in a hostel alone.
So many girls are today given the freedom to dream.....to aspire.....to pursue their dreams....even if they have to leave their home......and so many even leave the country to pursue their Dreams .

Today,Medical field is no longer Male Dominated.
In fact,so many Post Graduate courses are having only Female Students in the department.

The Societal outlook towards a Girl Child is seeing a Paradigm Shift.

Girls are gives equal opportunity , encouragement and support to chase their Dreams.

Only hurdle and the mindset which needs to change is Support to pursue the Degree as Profession to climb the ladder and break the glass ceiling after Marriage and Maternity.
That too is gradually changing.

But,when my seniors to a large extent and myself to some extent have had to fight against many to pursue our Dreams and Aspirations....it's sad to see Some Gen Z disrespect the Freedom enjoyed by them.
The social media platforms showing a Medical student talking disrespectfully about the Cadavers,the recent NEET exam protest showing Gen Z students using sewer abusive language.....the lifestyle of some Gen Z which is not at all acceptable...Drinking, Drugs,Free Physical proximity,Attitude,Arrogance,Disrespect to Institutions and Teachers....

Freedom must never be taken for granted nor Disrespected
With Freedom come Responsibility and Accountability  .

A real Paradigm Shift.....for Good ...and even Bad.

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali.
Hubli.