Dr. Abhay Patwari — Consultant Anesthesiologist
The practice of medicine dedicated to the relief of pain and total care of the surgical patient before, during and after surgery broadly forms the basis of anesthesiology. The ever expanding role of today’s anesthesiologists has kept pace with all other specialists in the field allowing for the highest quality health care available anywhere in the world.
Though surgery has become relatively safe these days, it still needs a lot of courage to undergo an operation. Fear before undergoing operation may be on account of fear of pain, fear of being aware during the surgery, fear of not regaining consciousness, fear of death and so on and it is here that the role of the anesthesiologist comes into play.
In conversation with The Times, Dr. Abhay Patwari, Consultant Anesthesiologist at Farwaniya Hospital shared some of his experience and knowledge of the specialization that is often overlooked by patients undergoing surgery.
Can you give us a brief account of you entry and early career in the field of anesthesiology
I spent 22 years of my life in Pune, where I went through my entire education from kindergarten to my MD. During my anesthesia residency training program at the B J Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune from 1978-1980, I became interested in ventilators and the management of critically ill patients.
After completion of my MD in anesthesia in 1981, I continued to work in Pune as a lecturer in the department until April 1982 when I left Pune to begin my career as an anesthesiologist in Hyderabad. I chose to go there because that is where we originally hail from. My native place is Bhidar, which is now officially in Karnataka, but is part of old Hyderabad and lies in border regions of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
I always felt drawn back to our home town, which we would visit every holiday. I was always sure that once I finished my post grad, I would go back to Hyderabad to start my practice as a free-lance private practitioner. I kept growing in my field and worked in Pune for 10 years, after which I got an offer from the government of Kuwait to relocate to Kuwait. A very close friend working in the medical field in Kuwait was rather impressed with my knowledge and expertise and suggested I send him my resume as they were looking for a good anesthesiologist in his department.
At the time I was very comfortable in Hyderabad and was rather reluctant to leave my home to begin a new life in a foreign country, but friends and family convinced me that it was a good opportunity for growth. My children were just the right age to relocate without much trouble and with all things considered, I decided to take up the offer. I landed in Kuwait on 10 January 1993 — one never forgets the date they arrive in Kuwait for the first time. After a lot of running around for paper work, I managed to get my wife and children here to begin our new lives.
Please give us an insight into the field of anesthesiology
In India and most other countries, the term anaesthetist refers exclusively to fully registered medical practitioners. Most people think anaesthetists are responsible for putting you to sleep while undergoing surgery — which they believe is a very simple job involving an injection. But in reality, anaesthetists are responsible for your like as we are able to put a patient in a death-like state and yet keep them alive while the surgeon is doing his job.
The surgical field has been able to develop significantly only because anaesthetics have been able to keep patients alive before, during and after operations, making it possible to conduct longer complicated procedures.
The era of modern anaesthesia began on 16 October 1846 with the first public demonstration of the anaesthetic effects of ether by WTG Morton — a dentist — at the Massachussetts General Hospital in Boston, USA. Major developments have occurred in the last 50 years, which calls for constant upgrading of medical knowledge and skills which several subspecialties sprouting such as pediatric anesthesiology and neuro anesthesiology.
In the last 30 years the anaesthetists have come out of the operation theater and moved into the greater field of intensive care. In Kuwait, we anaesthetists run the intensive care units.
Another specialty we deal with is pain management. Anaesthetists know a lot about pain which are of three kinds — acute pain which is a part of post operative care, labor pain which is one of the most sever forms of pain and chronic pain which is pain that does not gain relief for longer periods of time.
What has been your role and contribution to the IDF?
As I did have considerable experience in organizing and running associations in Hyderabad, it was only natural that I would be a part of a dynamic forum such as the IDF. It was a brilliant idea to unite all the Indian doctors under one association to contribute to the society at large and form strong networks between ourselves as well.
I have been a part of the organization from its inception and was an executive member before I became Vice President —I felt I didn’t have the charisma to be President of such a big organization.
Ours is the only organization in Kuwait which has Kuwaiti recognition and patronage, through the Kuwait Medical Association and because of this we are able to acquire the necessary licenses to conduct health camps and other activities that benefit the disadvantaged in the community.
In my opinion, the Indian Doctors Forum has also evolved — initially the idea was to get together the Indian doctors in Kuwait in order to do something for the doctors, something for the Indo-Kuwait friendship and something for the disadvantaged in Kuwait. Apart from all the community work, we also have a lot of fun where we hold picnics, get-togethers and social functions.
Now when I go to any hospital in Kuwait I find a familiar, smiling face, one of the most important accomplishments of the IDF has been to nurture this friendship amongst Indian doctors.
I think the IDF is a great active organization and has achieved most of its ideals — it has even received Pravasi Bharti award last year, which is given by the government of India for exemplary service.
As for the socio-cultural scene, I have always been a ‘bathroom-singer’ but the IDF has given me courage and a platform to perform. Me and my family have always been a part performances at ‘DocFest’, a social function held once a year. For the next event, at the end of the month, I am going to be singing a medley. With around an estimated 1200 guests I think it is quite a feat of courage!
What health advice can you give the general public?
There is lots of ignorance about anesthesia in the public. I believe people need to know something about anesthesia because their lives depend on it. Whenever you do not feel well, first thing you do is to consult your doctor. Most commonly this doctor is your family doctor with whom you are familiar and in whom you have faith and confidence. If you or a member of your family ever needs to undergo an operation, the following tips will help you to do so safely and painlessly.
1. Choose your doctors based on the kind of expertise you are looking for and the hospital based on its reputation.
2. Always insist on meeting your anaesthesiologist for a preoperative evaluation and assessment of your fitness.
3. Use this opportunity to ask all your questions regarding the proposed anaesthesia and surgery.
4. Discuss the method of anaesthesia available to you and your choice
5. Inform the anaesthesiologist all details about your past and present illness, treatment received, known allergies, your habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, any previous anaesthetics and operations.
6. Do keep with you all-available past medical records and prescriptions for review.
7. Do not wear cosmetics, jewelry or dentures on the day of the operation.
8. Do not eat or drink anything at least six hours prior to your operation. If you have eaten something, don’t forget to tell your anaesthesiologist or surgeon.
9. Follow all instructions given by the doctors and nursing staff.
10. Ask your surgeon about complications and success rates, post-operative pain, and duration of hospital stay after the proposed surgery.
On a closing note, please tell us about your personal experience in your field.
I have seen the entire spectrum through training, free-lance and finally a government job and I have seen both sides of the coin. In private practice you can enjoy the freedom and the flexibility to do what you want with no one looking over your shoulder but on the other hand there is certainty of income and is highly dependent on the surgeon. While the surgeon gets the name and fame., patients hardly know who the anesthesiologist is.
Sometimes I enjoy the anonymity though at the same time I don’t want o be totally invisible. The life here in Kuwait has been very comfortable. It allows me to give some of my time to the IDF and pursue passions and hobbies. With my daughter and grandchildren living nearby, I have much more joy added to my already satisfying life.
– Staff Report
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