Page 17 - Masala Lite Issue 164 August 2024

Do you recommend vaginal delivery or caesarean
delivery?
Vaginal delivery has significant benefits over a
caesarean delivery, including lower morbidity and
mortality; and faster recovery, which results in the
ability for the mum and baby to bond faster and easier.
A caesarean delivery should be performed only when
it is obstetrically/medically indicated for the benefit
of the mother or baby.

What advice would you give to Thai-Indians wanting
to pursue a career in medicine? How would you
compare the medical training in Thailand vs the US?

Medicine is a very fulfilling and noble career – but it
is not for everyone. Dare to dream and be fearless in
the pursuit of your dreams. Recognise that medicine
is a very demanding career; but if it is your passion,
you should pursue it, as it is very fulfilling. However, if
you are doing it because your parents are suggesting
it, you will likely live a very unhappy life. Training in
Thailand allows you much earlier hands-on patient
care which really builds a strong foundation for clinical
skills. However, the infrastructure limits research and
advanced care opportunities as training usually occurs
in government hospitals with more limited resources.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter as much where
you train, but what matters is making the most of
what you have available, and showing up as your best
self. What you put in is what you get out. Patients
are the same everywhere; they are all human beings
who want to be seen, heard, and cared for – so the
approach to patient care comes from the same place
of compassion and empathy.

Being a physician is demanding; how do you balance
your personal and professional responsibilities?
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?

Balancing personal and professional responsibilities
as a physician is undoubtedly demanding. One of
the primary reasons doctors experience burnout is
the constant pursuit of external validation, which
often leaves them unfulfilled despite achieving career
milestones. For me, it starts with self-worth, and
knowing I deserve to be happy. This inner shift has
been instrumental in my journey, and I now coach
other doctors to help them find this balance.

I genuinely love my work, so the long hours don’t bother
me—I’m living my dream life. However, I prioritise my
breaks and spend a lot of time in nature, walking and
hiking, to recharge. Surrounding yourself with kind, positive, and uplifting people is What are your future goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally?

also crucial. I’m very selective about who has access to my time and energy. I want to continue to learn and stay updated in MFM and continue my work with

Dealing with the emotional challenges of the profession, such as the guilt from adverse residents and fellows. I’m giving a lecture next month to all the Maternal-Foetal
outcomes or being apart from family, is part of the journey. Doctors are human, and Medicine fellows around the whole country. I will also have an in-person talk on this
despite showing up and doing our best, it still hurts when we lose a patient. Peer support topic at a conference in October. As the first and only Thai MFM who is American-
systems are vital in coping with these experiences. board certified, I also plan to collaborate with institutions in Thailand to improve the
healthcare of pregnant women and babies in Thailand; through lectures or setting
My husband, Dr. Torre Halscott, who also specialises in Maternal-Foetal Medicine and up a channel for exchange student pathways.
Surgical Critical Care, is incredibly understanding and supporting. We share a love for
live music, especially jazz, classical, and soul. In fact, last month, we attended a magical
John Legend concert in DC, where he performed with a full orchestra in a beautiful
open field. Balancing the guilt from our professional responsibilities with family time is
a constant challenge, but knowing we are making a difference helps manage that guilt.

ALL-ACCESS INTO BANGKOK’S CONTEMP OR ARY INDIAN LIFEST YLE