Latest news with #NelsonRMandelaSchoolofMedicine
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Double doctors: Meet the couple who both earned their PhDs in medicine
Dr Shalendra Misser and Dr Usha Chhagan. Image: Supplied Dr Usha Chhagan and Dr Shalendra Misser, a married couple from Musgrave, have both achieved their PhDs in medicine, showcasing their dedication to their fields and the community. They graduated from the UKZN's Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine in 1998. Chhagan, who matriculated from Durban Girls' Secondary School, is the senior specialist of a psychiatry unit in the public sector and lectures in the Department of Psychiatry at UKZN. She has two Masters degrees - in psychiatry and philosophy and ethics of mental health. 'I grew up and completed schooling in Durban, while Shalen moved around South Africa, having lived in several cities and towns. However, even as a child I had one intention – to become a doctor and to serve our community,' said Chhagan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Her PhD research explored the interplay between HIV, substance use, and first episode psychosis (FEP), a field that required mental health responses in South Africa. 'I wanted to better understand the complex dynamics affecting mental health in our communities, especially among people living with HIV and struggling with substance use. 'My findings highlighted the critical need for tailored treatment strategies for individuals bearing the triple burden of HIV, psychosis and substance use. I called for mental health to be prioritised at the national policy level." Both of them are the first doctors in their respective families. 'I was always interested in academics, so I stayed attached to UKZN's medical school, and at the same time provided clinical services in the public sector. I spent 5 years on my Phd. However, with the interruption during Covid-19, clinical care became a priority. There was also a hold on research due to Covid-19 restrictions, so I took longer to complete the PhD." Misser is a paediatric neuroradiologist at Lake Smit and Partners. He has multiple qualifications, including a Master's in medical sciences and several diplomas from the European Society of Neuroradiology. 'I was born in Durban and raised in towns across South Africa. I became a doctor because of my father. He was a school principal, who once dreamed of becoming a doctor himself,' said Misser. Misser conducted in-depth neuroradiological research focusing on hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury (HIBI), a key contributor to cerebral palsy and how it could be better understood and classified using MRI. 'I was always interested in radiology since this is a field that interacts with patients and doctors from all aspects of medicine, which is what I love about it. I went further and gained a PhD because I always strived for excellence and wanted to improve." He said studying towards a PhD was "not an easy undertaking". "Usha is based at one of the busiest units in Durban, and I am at a busy private practice. We are also raising two teenagers. It was difficult, especially without compromising on family time but we made it through." He said that having accomplished a PhD together had not yet sunk in but they knew it would help them further their respective careers. 'We mostly feel humbled that so many people have reached out to congratulate us and be part of the celebration of this achievement. This allows a specialist to really improve as a researcher, to learn so much more about the field of medicine, and make a lasting contribution to society." Misser said they hoped to now take it easy. 'Usha is looking forward to enjoying her clinical work in the public sector, while I believe my path will continue to evolve. I have always maintained that a rolling stone gathers no moss. Who knows what's next for me,' said Misser. THE POST
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Medicine: a journey worth the challenge
Junior medical doctors in South Africa will be tested from the moment of their inception as they learn to survive, says Dr Ishq Pramchand Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability,"- Sir WilliamOsler, the Father of Modern Medicine JUNIOR medical doctors in South Africa will be tested from the moment of their inception as they learn to survive. The public healthcare system in South Africa is a high-pressure environment, fraught with many challenges, which initially may seem daunting to the 1st year intern. Such challenges, I feel, are integral to personal growth and significantly contribute to resilience in the field, which will carry you throughout your medical career and beyond. I have had the privilege of gaining invaluable exposure to our healthcare system at grass-roots level. Having graduated Summa Cum Laude and Top Achiever of the Class of 2021 at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, I pursued a rigorous 2 year Internship programme at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. I, thereafter, completed 1 more year as a community service medical doctor at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg. Now, I find myself "catching my breath" as I locum privately in Durban and await a registrar position in my specialty of choice. Medicine is not easy. The pathway may seem simple but is a complex, transformative process geared towards shaping a competent, safe medical doctor. Seemingly endless hours of studying, tough examinations and a dwindling social life set a strong foundation for the future: draining night shifts, life or death situations, and the optimism to keep going and never give up. The reality does not make it any easier. Nationally, South Africa faces a critical shortage of doctors, with less than one doctor for every 1 000 patients. This precarious imbalance places strain on the frontline doctors in the public health sector, exacerbated by the limited access to medical resources. While South African medical doctors are trained excellently in local institutions, which match international standards, poor patient outcomes are often the result of suboptimal care. Frustration, physician burnout and unfavourable team dynamics are a handful of common challenges faced by the young doctor with the potential to strongly influence patient outcomes, with catastrophic consequences if not recognised and addressed timeously. Even "breaking bad news" to patients and their families regarding a life changing diagnosis like cancer, or the death of a loved one, may also intimidate the junior medical intern, with grievous implications if managed inappropriately. How do we survive in the system? Is there a way? Resilience, in the context of a medical doctor, translates to your "toughness": your capacity to withstand and recover from difficult situations. This may be a particularly helpful attribute as a budding medical intern, who faces the daily, relentless onslaught on mind, body and soul with no appreciable time to recover. Interestingly, the field of medicine mirrors the battlefield, reflecting the crucial principles a young soldier in the heart of combat should follow to survive. Protection of the sick, damage control, and witnessing death at the frontline are overlapping features, which scratch the surface. Deeper psychological defences are at play: hope, love for the craft, and "true grit" which constitute honour for modern day martyrs and the safety of the patients they defend. Fortifying your resilience is a personal process, a culmination of years of experience. Everyone is not the same. However, the global literature emphasises the need for holistic well-being in demanding environments to deliver optimal results. A modern shift in social structures towards understanding mental health and overall happiness emphasise the need for the individual to develop himself not only physically, but psychologically and socially. This relates aptly to the medical practitioner where a "Biological-Psychological Social" approach to the patient translates to excellent, holistic patient outcomes, often curbing prevalent mental health conditions such as depression. Conversely, the same principles can be applied to the medical practitioner to not only improve daily practice, but to inspire passion in the art. Time is limited. As a junior medical officer, I understand that more, having navigated an exhausting yet exhilarating internship and community service. I also understand that effective time management is key to enjoying these tough incipient years. Starting small, and tackling life as a medical doctor in "bite-size" chunks, may help you find the balance you are looking for. Personally, I love reading. I try to reserve at least 10 to 15 minutes a day every day to consult the literature and read more to improve my practical medical knowledge. I'm also passionate about Kung Fu and music. I try to put some practice early in the morning before I get to work, getting a "kick" out of Kung Fu practice and finding my rhythm at the piano. When on call, I try to match the daily exercise quota by taking the stairs instead of the lift to get some extra steps in. Something is always better than nothing. Dedicating time and focus to these activities I enjoy have made me understand my life as a medical doctor better. Significantly, published literature highlights a plausible connection between a sound understanding of the arts and a higher degree of empathy towards patients, improving long term patient outcomes. The existing challenges seem easier, and I feel energised to tackle newer, more complex ones. Ultimately, medicine is not for the faint hearted and may be demanding at times. You will always be faced with challenges in the field, which may present themselves unexpectedly, often with no help available at the time. It is important to trust in your ability to learn from life's experiences holistically, manage every challenge with the patient's best interests at heart, and enjoy your journey as a medical doctor. How to survive as a junior doctor - Read a little everyday - Start small - Eat and drink well: healthy meals, snacks and drinks - Comfortable footwear - Take the stairs - Speak about your experiences - Sleep well - Hobbies - Laugh and smile often - Your teachers are everyone and everywhere - Dedicated time-out - There is always a good side to everything
