My parents have been my inspiration when it comes to work ethic. They’re both in leadership positions in the corporate sector. I’ve seen both of them working so incredibly hard - weekends, nights, whatever it took to get to where they are today. Especially seeing my mother balance work and family so capably pushed me to work better and smarter. Their outlook on life, their need to grow as human beings as well as professionals always broadened my horizons.
1. Tell us about your upbringing, background and journey?
My parents always pushed me to do better - not just academically but to also be a better person. From inculcating my reading habit where dad and I would discuss philosophy at the dinner table to sports, where I would go on to play state-level tennis.
Both parents also brought me up to look at the larger picture and look at how we can socially impact more lives and help people.
I always knew I wanted to be a surgeon, it seemed like the coolest profession in the world. But as I grew up, I saw the inequalities and the huge gap between the poor and the privileged, and this really pushed me to do something for them.
2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?
As a child, I used to accompany my grandfather, a doctor, on his rounds at a charitable hospital in Mumbai. Seeing the difference he made to his patient's lives physically and also mentally, shaped my childhood and inspired me to become a doctor. During the course of medical school, working in a low-income area, I saw the problems women faced in completely different strata of society. Affected by the pain, confusion, shame, helplessness and desperation they went through, it was only obvious that I would go on to become an OBGYN.
3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?
My parents have been my inspiration when it comes to work ethic. They’re both in leadership positions in the corporate sector. I’ve seen both of them working so incredibly hard - weekends, nights, whatever it took to get to where they are today. Especially seeing my mother balance work and family so capably pushed me to work better and smarter. Their outlook on life, their need to grow as human beings as well as professionals always broadened my horizons.
4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?
I think digital health has already come such a long way, and it will go further in leaps and bounds. Health-tech is growing so fast and it’s exciting to see where it goes.
The advent of digital health has been a boon in most ways - from connecting people in rural areas to reaching immobile people to making things easier for both patients and doctors - it’s been quite an adventure.
Indian women do not have access to knowledge about reproductive health. They are not taught about pregnancy and contraception. Also, Covid has drastically impacted everyone and women are not being able to come to the hospital for checkups. Today with the advent of the Internet and technology women at every stratum have access to a smartphone.
That is why in April last year, I launched a non-profit Premaa where I developed a free android app called Premaa pregnancy in regional languages for women to have access to evidence-based, gynaecologist verified information on pregnancy and contraception. It even helps you track your pregnancy, know when to go to the doctor for your next appointment and how to treat small problems as well. If you’re not looking to get pregnant, the app will give you information about the need for contraception, various methods of contraception and can also track your period and method of contraception as well.
In the next 5 years, digital health will be used as an empowering tool for people across the globe. We will be able to connect to areas that have no access to healthcare and provide them with specialised care. We will be able to diagnose and treat diseases quicker and better. We will be able to have access to better mental health as well. These are just some of the health-tech initiatives out there!
5. What are your concerns about Digital Health?
As a gynaecologist, the challenges I face with digital health is not being able to examine my patients. In most cases, a clinical examination of the patient can help pinpoint their diagnosis without needing a barrage of tests to confirm it.
Another concern I have is that the kind of rapport we develop with our patients face-to-face may not be replicated digitally and we may not be able to elicit their medical histories as well and they may not feel open enough to share things that they would have in person.
6. Can you let us know anyone application of Digital Health in your country which has impressed you?
Honestly, Curefit (cult fit) has had an insane run this year. They’ve expanded from gyms to online classes, wellness, digital health and food. They’re really ahead of the game reaching all aspects of health, which is physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
There are so many other applications as well - from telehealth to teleporting to hospital administration services that are really innovative.
7. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation? Which is the best medical college according to you?
Get into medicine only if you really feel like you want to make a difference in peoples lives. It’s a thankless, poorly-paying job so do it for the right reasons.
Also, go with an open mind. Learn new things, have fun, make mistakes, develop interests outside studying and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Life is what YOU make out of it, so according to me, there is no “best” medical college. The best one for you (distance to home, faculty, cutting edge technology, teaching, clinical work) is the one you should choose. For residency choose the medical college with your degree of choice, maximum clinical exposure and hands-on experience, non-toxic faculty and seniors.
8. What does your typical day look like and what do you like to do besides work?
As a third-year OBGY resident I’m the registrar, so I’m in charge of a particular unit. Our days are hectic so one day (24-30 hours) a week on call in the labour room, one day in the OPD, one day for elective surgeries and alternate weekends on call as well. Besides this, we have to manage the in-hospital patients that are admitted so we have morning and evening rounds as well.
Residency (especially OBGY) doesn’t give you a lot of time for anything except work. I'm very interested in research and have published several papers in international medical journals. Besides this I started a health tech non-profit Premaa, I’m on Instagram as well as @premaahealth and share reproductive, sexual and mental health-related posts. I also try to keep some time to connect with my parents and friends!
Dr. Esha Chainani - Resident MS OBGYN | Founder: Premaa
Interviewed By: Vanshaj Chawla
This interview is sponsored by Plus91 Technologies, a leading Digital Health firm.
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