Unconscious Bias: Why it Happens and How to Unlearn It

Image
Before you finish reading this paragraph, your brain has already made a judgment about someone.  Their accent , their appearance , their profession, or the way they expressed an idea.  You did not consciously choose to judge — and that is exactly how unconscious bias works. Unconscious bias refers to the automatic assumptions and mental shortcuts our brains use to process the world quickly. These biases are shaped by culture, media, upbringing, education, and personal experiences. They exist everywhere — across countries, professions, and social systems . The uncomfortable truth is this: even kind, educated, well-intentioned people have unconscious bias. What matters is not pretending we don’t have it, but learning how to recognize and unlearn it. “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” This article explores common examples of unconscious bias seen globally and practical ways anyone can overcome them. What Is Unconscious Bias?  Unconscious bias is not ...
Post a Comment

Life After FCPS Part 1, MD, MS, PLAB or USMLE: A Doctor’s Reality

My Struggle With Residency, MOSHIP, and the Fear of Falling Behind

I opted for FCPS Part 1 in surgery but alot of students who have given MD MS PLAB USMLE exams and not securing a training position anywhere, can relate to my story.

 

Clearing FCPS Part 1 in Surgery in my first attempt—after just 1.5 months of preparation—should have felt like the biggest breakthrough of my career. And it did…  for a moment. But what came after was something NO ONE warns you about:

the silent gap, the waiting, the rejections, and the fear of falling behind while everyone else seems to be moving forward.

I applied to all the major teaching hospitals and well-known institutes in my city. I walked into every induction test with hope, confidence, and my freshly passed FCPS exam. But the result was the same everywhere—

I didn’t get selected for residency training in surgery.


And that’s when the panic began.

Sometimes the gap isn’t empty; it’s where growth quietly happens.


-The Confusion That Followed: Surgery VS Medicine?

I didn’t want a break in my CV. I needed to stay financially independent. So I decided to look for RMOSHIPs that were related to surgery—something that kept me in touch with my field and strengthened my future application.

But reality hit again.

Wherever I applied, the only RMOSHIPs available were in:

-Medicine

-Pediatrics

-Gynae/Obs


Not a single surgical MOSHIP.

And that put me in a cycle of confusion:

-Should I continue searching for a surgery moship, even if it takes more time?

-Should I join medicine or paeds related jobs , just to prevent a career gap?

-Should I switch completely and prepare for FCPS Part 1 in Medicine as well?


Every option felt right and wrong at the same time and there was no one to guide anything.


---The Pressure of Time 

I kept thinking: I have six months—maybe I can do another Part 1? But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t enjoy medicine. I don’t feel connected to it. Surgery feels like passion, pace, movement, life. Medicine feels slow. Time doesn’t pass.


And then Ramadan period was around the corner—a month where duties are easy, but studying? Nearly impossible.

So preparing another Part 1 didn’t make sense.

What did make sense was simple:


I need surgical exposure. Even if it’s a small MOSHIP. Even if the hospital is not famous. Even if the pay isn’t high. I just need something that keeps me connected to surgery.


Because losing an entire year before the next residency cycle would push me far behind. 

I tried everywhere to get it but got failed so i joined my MOSHIP in paeds related setup instead of wasting my time.


---If You Don’t Get Residency Immediately: What You Should Do in a 6-Month Gap

I didn’t lose time—I gained perspective, strength, and clarity about what I truly want.

Many doctors face this exact situation—passed, qualified, motivated, but unable to secure training due to seats, competition, or timing.

These 6 months can either break your confidence…

or they can build your CV.

Here’s how to make the best use of this gap:


1. Join Any Surgical MOSHIP You Can Find—Even Small Hospitals Count

Don’t wait for a “big name” institution

Even district hospitals or private setups matter

Hands-on experience (OT, ward rounds, minor procedures) adds weight during residency interviews


2. Take Short Surgical Skills Courses

(If available in your city)

Examples:

-Basic surgical skills workshops

-Suturing, knot-tying courses

-Laparoscopic simulation training

-ATLS (highly valuable for surgery applicants)


These certificates make your CV stronger.


3. Start a Medical Blog or YouTube Channel

You already have high-yield exam experience. Share it.


Topics such as:

-FCPS Part 1 preparation guide

-Daily surgical life

-Study schedules

-Mistakes to avoid

-Mental health during gap periods


This builds your professional presence and keeps you mentally engaged.



4. Research & Audit Work

Even small clinical audits or case reports help your residency application.

Find a consultant willing to supervise your write-up.


5. Prepare for the Next Residency Cycle Strategically

-Keep a list of hospitals and their announcement dates

-Improve your CV

-Focus on recommendation letters

-Don’t rely on only top institutes—apply widely



6. Maintain Your Theoretical Knowledge

Just 1–2 hours/day revision is enough:

-Baileys

-SRB basics

This ensures you won’t feel rusty when residency starts.


Final Thoughts: Your Journey Is Not Delayed

Failing to get training immediately doesn’t mean you failed.

It means your timing didn’t match the system.

Thousands of brilliant doctors have been through this exact phase.

The journey pauses not to stop you, but to prepare you.

What matters is:

- You keep moving

- You stay connected to surgery

-You use your gap wisely

- You don’t let fear stop you from trying again


Your FCPS journey is not a race—it’s a path.

Sometimes the path slows down to prepare you for something bigger.


And trust me—no experience, no rejection, and no gap ever goes to waste.


“If you’re going through the same transition, you’re not alone. Comment below and share your experience!”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The First Week of Residency: Expectations vs Reality

From Dreams to the First Day of Reality Getting selected for general surgery training at a renowned and famous private institute felt like a dream come true .  The journey to that point was not easy, and I had already shared the detailed struggle, sacrifices, and perseverance in a previous blog ( https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2025/11/starting-over-my-journey-from-different.html ).  Like many young doctors, I walked into this new phase with hope in my heart and ambition in my eyes. I believed this was the place where my professional identity would finally take a shape. However, the first week of postgraduate (PG) training taught me a lesson that no textbook or entrance exam ever could: expectations can be beautiful, but reality can be brutally honest.  “Sometimes what you imagine as a breakthrough turns out to be a breakdown before growth.” My Expectations Before Joining Surgical Training Before starting my training, I had a picture in my mind of how t...
Read more

Why Dislike Turns Into Obsession: The Psychology Behind It

The Psychology Behind Why We Get Stuck on Certain People Have you ever noticed that sometimes the people you dislike the most end up taking the most space in your mind? You don’t love them, you don’t admire them, you don’t even want to be close to them — yet somehow, their actions, words, and presence feel impossible to ignore. Recently, I realized how dislike can pull us into a strange emotional involvement — sometimes even deeper than love.  Love makes us think about someone with warmth. Dislike? It makes us think about someone with intensity  And intensity is powerful. Why Do We Become So Curious About People We Dislike? During my medical school years, I had a batchmate I couldn’t stand. She felt toxic to me — manipulative, controlling, always trying to stay ahead of everyone else. My dislike for her slowly grew into a weird fascination. What was she doing? Who was she talking to? How was she manipulating people? Soon, my friends and I bonded over our shared irritation with...
Read more

Your Life Feels Heavy Because You’re Exhausted, Not Lazy

One question always comes to my mind...  Why modern burnout has nothing to do with motivation — and everything to do with how we live. If you feel constantly tired, overwhelmed, or mentally drained , you’re not alone. Most people blame themselves: “I’m lazy .” “I lack discipline .” “Others manage, why can’t I?” But what if the problem isn’t you — it’s the lifestyle you’re trying to survive? Let me tell you why modern life exhausts us, how burnout quietly develops, and what small changes can restore energy, clarity, and emotional balance . Burnout Is Not Just a Work Problem Burnout isn’t limited to doctors, office workers , or students. It affects: - Stay-at-home parents - Creators - Entrepreneurs - Caregivers - People doing “nothing at all stressful” Burnout happens when mental load exceeds recovery . “You don’t burn out because you do too much. You burn out because you recover too little.” Signs You’re Burnt Out (But Don’t Realize It) Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Some...
Read more