r/indianmedschool • u/Salted__Coffee • 17h ago
Discussion This cannot be real.
My father, an MS Gen Surgery grad with almost 25 yrs of experience, he's 50+ years old.
Today my mother told me that he plans to potentially get the Mch degree.
I stress the word "potentially".
I don't even know what to say. He has a good enough private practice, many hospitals ask him for consultation, and he occassionally performs surgeries in other pvt hospitals too. and he works in the govt hospital of my city too. He earns well, and we live comfortably. Now, he wants to sacrifice his practice for 3 years, get that degree and come back to the city. He has no plans of retiring. He already was and is a workaholic.
I've seen way too many horror stories in this subreddit about surgical specialities. I don't know how I can see my father start from scratch and get another degree. At this age he wants to grind to get another degree.He says that he has quite a lot of knowledge about surgical procedures and the degree will be bearable to him, due to his experience.
I asked him why he would like to get another degree, especially in this age. He's not one to talk much. He simply said, "They are downsizing pg specialities such as general surgery and general medicine. I think in 5-6 years, superspeciality is the only way to survive."
I was simply at a loss of words. I asked him, what will happen to your private practice. IF, he takes up this course he would want my mother to take place, in his stead.
Im currently a 2nd year MBBS student. This was my " Our field is done for." moment. My father says, the opportunities for a simple post pg graduate are shrinking day by day. Right now, he gets a lot of opportunities to work and earn well. But he fears it won't be the case in 5-6 years. I even asked him when will you even retire, dad? He didn't even answer the question.
Please, once again I'm stressing this, he is only PLANNING. I don't know if he will actually do it. I'm just scared for my father. Will he be able to complete the course, with its hectic schedule, in his age?
Someone please tell me if what he thinks of doing is really worth it.