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NATIONAL MEDICAL JOURNAL OF INDIA REVIEW:Read review of book VQE The Tale of an Indian Physician in the UK of 1980s https://www.amazon.com/VQE-Indian-Phy...REVIEW
This intriguingly titled, slim volume is a slice from the life of Dr Vivek Gumaste, currently working as a gastroenterologist in the USA. It offers a glimpse into his journey from being a newly minted doctor in India to his final-chosen destination overseas.
This is an unusual book in that its title is an enigmatic acronym, which most doctors of the current generation may not be familiar with. In the 1980s, Indian physicians aspiring to work in the USA needed to pass the Visa Qualifying Examination (VQE), which has now been replaced by the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). To further compound matters, the Indian government did not allow the examination to be held in India. The only convenient centres for Indian doctors were Karachi, Manila and London. Travel being expensive and the result of the examination uncertain, Dr Gumaste decided to enter the UK medical system by doing the Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) examination, with his sights firmly set on eventually making it to the USA.
This set the stage for the next 2 years and 6 months of which this book is a recollection.
It is an unvarnished account of all that Dr Gumaste experienced during his time in the UK. What strikes the reader instantly is the remarkable honesty with which he has described this period in his life. There are no euphemisms and no attempt to whitewash any of the incidents that took place.
One needs to keep in mind that the author was only 26 years old when he came to England and, by his own admission, abhorred all things British. As going back to India without achieving his ambition was not an option and working long term in the UK was not acceptable, he was left with no choice but to take up a series of temporary locum jobs all over Britain.
His first test came when he had to pass the PLAB which, in addition to testing his medical knowledge, included a linguistic component involving a comprehension of various British accents. Fortunately, 3 weeks later, he was informed that he had passed! This set the stage for his career in the UK as a locum physician, working at temporary jobs sometimes as short as a weekend, moving from place to place in search of work with the added uncertainty that no work often meant nowhere to stay. We are also introduced to Dr Gumaste's perplexing dislike for geriatrics and for rheumatology which he considered 'unglamorous' and non- challenging.
Along the way, he met an entire ensemble cast of characters including a 90-year-old lady in her hospital bed screaming 'Blackie, Blackie! I don't want to be treated by Blackies,' There was a Sri
Lankan doctor who changed his name from Dr Marianyagam to Dr Marion to fit in with his British colleagues; Dr Tiruchirapalli Krishnamachari who resisted being renamed Dr Chris by his consultant and Dr Dutta, the Bengali consultant, married to a British lady, who wore a bow tie and left no stone unturned to act and sound British. His Indian origins asserted themselves at mealtimes when he generously shared his stock of green chillies with fellow diners.
There were many struggles in store for the author in England- the weather which was always cold, the food which he found too bland, the cubicle-like accommodation for young doctors, the long working hours and the barely suppressed racism including a terrifying encounter with skinheads on the London underground. Commenting on the English system of healthcare, Dr Gumaste highlights both the chaotic and haphazard career progression and the invisible glass ceiling which kept many overseas doctors in relatively junior positions.
The book also offers a glimpse into the major political events of the time including the Falklands war, Margaret Thatcher's opposition to immigrants and Enoch Powell's infamous speech exhorting the need for 'voluntary re-emigration'.
What shines through in this narrative is the author's frankness and honesty in providing an unvarnished account of his time in the UK and his struggle to come to terms with his situation in every way. It offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Indian doctors when they moved overseas to greener pastures 40 years back.
It was Dr Gumaste's sheer grit and single-mindedness of purpose to achieve his goal of getting to the USA that saw him through some difficult times. His story would serve as an inspiration even today to young physicians to dream and to follow their dreams.
Who should read this book? It would be primarily of interest to Indian doctors, especially those aspiring to go abroad. It would also attract older physicians who could reminisce about their time in the UK. Physicians in Britain would do well to look back at how the system of work and education in the National Health Service has evolved over time. For the sake of the lay reader, Dr Gumaste has given explanations of medical terms and procedures although this would be superfluous for the medical reader.
With 210 pages, the book is a handy and easy-to-carry memoir. The typeface is clear, and the material is chronologically arranged.
This book awaits a sequel chronicling Dr Gumaste's initial experiences in the USA after he made it there. Maybe 'Life after VQE.'?
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Hey! I’m Azraa and have recently started a new blog where I will be posting my reviews. Do pay my blog a visit and a follow and I shall return the favor :) https://bibliomanaicaza.wordpress.com...
Hi everyone,I am Yogaa Lakshmi and I started a new blog where I post reviews of the books that I recently read and the arcs that I receive. I am looking for some bookish blogging friends. Kindly have a look at my blog- https://aaycbookreviews.blogspot.com
Hi all,I've launched a new book review and promotion website Rambling Ramesh with a special focus on Indian books.
For Readers:
Check out the website for book reviews and recommendations, literary crosswords and trivia, and more.
For Authors:
For book reviews, please fill out the Book Review Request Form
For book promotion, please submit a Book Promotion Request
Both reviews and promotions are free.
I hope you'll check out my website. Thank you for your time.
Hi everyone! I am Aayushi, and here is my blog link ->www.mybookishbanter.wordpress.com
I am also on twitter (@mybookishbanter) and Pinterest (/mybookishbanter).
I blog book reviews, recommendations, discussions and quotes.
A bit about me - I am 25 years old, engineer and MBA (IIM Lucknow) and working as a Project Manager. I am an avid reader, coffee lover and fitness enthusiast. Looking forward to connect and interact with fellow bloggers!
Hello bookworms
The intention is to help authors get their books more visibility through more reviews and also to get my fellow bloggers more books to read and review.
I have a book blog which I started a month ago and I am one of the few young bloggers who is below 14
Please comment like and follow it will be really appreciated
https://thecosycorner1788007.wordpres...
The intention is to help authors get their books more visibility through more reviews and also to get my fellow bloggers more books to read and review.
I have a book blog which I started a month ago and I am one of the few young bloggers who is below 14
Please comment like and follow it will be really appreciated
https://thecosycorner1788007.wordpres...
Welcome to my relatively NEW BLOG:http://www.learnenglishwithpreeti.onl...
& If you would be interested, do check out my latest blog post:
http://learnenglishwithpreeti.online/...
Find my relatively new blog here:http://www.learnenglishwithpreeti.onl...
Please SUBSCRIBE & Share!
Thanks
I have a website, www.ritaleechapman.com, where I interview a different author each month. Currently looking for authors for August onwards. If anyone is interested, please contact me through the website.
Here's my latest blog post:http://learnenglishwithpreeti.online/...
Do read and review, if you are interested!
Hi I am Sb Paul. Here is the link to my blog: http://www.cafeandblog.com/. ABOUT MY BLOG: Cafe and Blog is a space, a crucible of ideas where we hope to feature writers, thinkers and doers to spark ideas and topics that will help our readers, comprehend the world around them. Some of them may inspire you, others may not, but they will surely leave you with a thought to ponder on, when they share a slice of their lives with you.
Poetry Blog-3amconundrum.wordpress.com ❤️
Hi I am Sb Paul. Here is the link to my blog: http://www.cafeandblog.com/ ABOUT MY BLOG: Cafe and Blog is a space, a crucible of ideas where we hope to feature writers, thinkers and doers to spark ideas and topics that will help our readers, comprehend the world around them. Some of them may inspire you, others may not, but they will surely leave you with a thought to ponder on, when they share a slice of their lives with you.
Hi, Bookworm,Your site can't be reached. Please resend your link
Tanya wrote: "Poetry Blog-3amconundrum.wordpress.com ❤️"
Sorry i am not able to visit your site. pLEASE COPY the link again
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Hi,Each writer has a story! I am not reviewing their works but my interest is to skim the story behind the story. For me, each writer is a character that conveys a great message from their experiences.
All the writers featured on my page have been read through different lenses. For me each one of them is different. They have a unique story to tell about themselves, which can be our story as well.
https://www.cafeandblog.com/index.html
What could I say about my blog that isn't already said? I write about philosophical considerations that I actually have on a daily or a fortnightly basis. Have written two articles on meta ethics and the absence of sound (and I say to myself when I sleep that they are excellent - though that is for you to find). But my blog isn't that rustic, I write short stories on fiction - horror, mystery or sci-fi. All are welcome to come and stay. Trust, I wouldn't keep you from Classics.https://lavleensharma1.wixsite.com/la...
Here's my 2 blogshttps://www.instagram.com/izhmagal_re...
https://wordpress.com/home/tiredkiddo...
Happy reading :)
Hema wrote: "Here's my 2 blogshttps://www.instagram.com/izhmagal_re...
https://wordpress.com/home/tiredkiddo...
Happy reading :)"
Hello Hema,
Check your WordPress link. It goes to your login page instead of the landing page of your blog.
Hello Fellow Writers,Do check out my newly created author page:)
https://preetigauthor.wordpress.com/
Hello Fellow Writers & Readers,Do check out my newly created author page:)
https://preetigauthor.wordpress.com/
Hello Fellow Writers & Readers,Do check out my newly created author page:)
https://preetigauthor.wordpress.com/
Hi I am Anusha this is my blog hereheyywanderingmind.blogspot.com
Hey All... 🙋🏻♀️Below is my blog and I have been writing from last 10 years.
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Book reviews, articles Bibliophileverse.com
www.sgsubra.wordprss.comMy blog on summaries of management articles published by HBR, MITSMR, BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte. Please visit & share your feedback. Thank you
Rose wrote: "Hey Everyone https://instagram.com/rosepensit?igsh..."Interesting website,
Curious to know- how do you achieve the translation Malayalam to English. Automatic? (google tanslate?) or some program ?
DO visit my website & comment
www.sgsubra.wordpress.com
Hello Everyone!Here is link of one of my blogs...
Please read and review..
http://saketbaranawal.blogspot.com/20...
Dear all,Here's all about books and art: https://www.kathaavali.com/
and a bit about me: https://yoginipatil.com/
Stay well, y'all!
Cheers
Yogini
Hi friends, this is Jignesh Adhyaru here from GujaratMy websites are
http://aksharnaad.com
http://readgujarati.com
Hello Everyone,I am Alisha and I recently started a book blog. I could reallly use some follower and engagement on my blog and twitter. Sharing the links below
WordPress - http://bookishcornerrhome.wordpress.com
Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/Alishaaakh...
If you follow me then please pm here and I will follow you back :-)
Regards
When you click on the WordPress link, there is an error message "There is nothing here" Please check
Hi, I am from India, currently in New Jersey.This is my blog: keerthysblog.wordpress.com
Bloggers/Book Lovers from India
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I am Enakshi and I review books. Kindly spare some time and drop by my website.
http://aliveshadow.com