Unconscious Bias: Why it Happens and How to Unlearn It

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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? Simple Explanation With Real...
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From Medical Student to House Officer: My First Clinical Step

Life After MBBS: When the Journey Ends Too Quietly

I completed my medical school in June 2018, and the final result was announced in September. Those in-between months were strangely calm — and strangely heavy. I was relaxed, yet constantly thinking:

“How did five years pass so quickly?”

While others count every single day of MBBS, I felt like mine flew by in laughter, late-night studies, exams, friendships, and silent tears.

When the result arrived, I had secured 3rd position overall in my batch — one of the proudest moments of my life. It felt like a dream turning real.

“Sometimes, the achievements you pray for quietly become the moments that define you loudly.”



House Job in Pakistan: The Reality Behind the White Coat

Soon after the result, my parent institute — a private medical college — offered me a house job. 

In Pakistan, a minimum one-year house job is mandatory to obtain a valid PMDC license and legally start clinical practice.

At that time, government hospital positions were unavailable, so I joined my parent institute.

Everyone kept saying:

- “Government hospitals have better exposure.”

- “Private setups won’t teach you real medicine.”

- “You should shift as soon as possible.”

But sometimes, life doesn’t give you options — it gives you opportunities.



Choosing Surgery and Allied Departments: A Bold Decision

The standard international training structure requires:

- 6 months of Medicine & Allied

- 6 months of Surgery & Allied


I chose Surgery & Allied for the start.

Some of my batchmates worked for a month or two, then left for government hospitals. I stayed. For the full six months.

The transition wasn’t easy.

From a student life to direct patient care — it felt like stepping into a completely different world.

“Being careful wasn’t fear — it was respect for the responsibility I now carried.”


Call Duties & 30-Hour Shifts: The Beginning of Resilience

Call duties began.

Every fourth day:

- 30-hour shifts.

- Away from home.

- Sleepless.

- Overthinking.

At first, it felt strange. Then slowly… it felt normal.

Then slowly… it became enjoyable.


What shocked me the most?

The classmates I barely spoke to in the last five years became my closest friends.

“Sometimes the best friendships are born in exhaustion and shared survival.”


Private Hospital Experience: Learning Beyond Expectations

After three months, government seats opened. I applied everywhere — but didn’t get selected.

So I stayed. And honestly? I learned a lot.

I learned:

- Real history taking

- Clinical examinations

- Diagnosis approach

- IV cannulation

- Blood sampling

- Foley’s catheterization


Every morning we had meetings with:

- Consultants

- Residents

- House officers

Post-call doctors presented cases, and discussions refined our clinical thinking.

Then came rounds.

- Bed-to-bed.

- Patient-to-patient.

- Learning in real time.

“Textbooks teach medicine. Patients teach humanity.”


Surgical and Gynecology Exposure That Changed Me

I witnessed and assisted in:

Surgical cases:

- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

- Open cholecystectomy

-Appendectomies

-Inguinal hernia repairs

-Ventral hernia mesh repairs


Gynecology & Obstetrics:

- Spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVDs)

- Obstructed labor management

- Emergency and elective C-sections


This wasn’t “no exposure.”

This was raw, real, and transformative.

“Don’t let other people’s opinions define the worth of your experience.”



Private vs Government Hospital House Job in Pakistan: Survival Tips (Surgery & Allied)

Here are 5 practical tips to survive and grow during your surgery & allied house job in Pakistan:


1. Master Basic Skills Early

Learn IV cannulation, catheterization, suturing, and wound dressing as soon as possible. Skills give confidence.


2. Respect Seniors, But Trust Your Learning Pace

Every resident and consultant was once confused too. Stay humble, but believe in yourself.


3. Create a Personal Learning System

Maintain a small notebook or phone notes for:

- Interesting cases

-Emergency protocols

- Drug dosages


4. Don’t Compare Your Journey

Private vs government doesn’t define your worth — your hands-on experience does.


5. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Sleep when you can. Eat properly. Talk to friends. Cry if needed. Burnout is real.

“You cannot pour into patients from an empty soul.”


Closing Note...

This was just the beginning of my clinical life.

The emotions.

The fear.

The pride.

The transformation.


Part 2 will explore what happened after surgery & allied rotations — the turning points, failures, and deeper lessons.

“Every doctor’s journey begins the day they stop feeling like a student and start feeling responsible.”

If you’re surviving long shifts, silent breakdowns, and unspoken dreams — this space is for you. Stay connected.

Follow the blog for Part 2 of my journey.


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