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 Student to House Officer (Part 2): Journey of Growth

Starting a internship/ house job after MBBS is one of the most emotionally intense phases of a medical graduate’s life. It is where theory meets reality, confidence collides with fear, and dreams get tested by exhaustion. 

In my previous blog, I shared my first six months in Surgery and Allied at a private hospital. 

This blog continues that journey — the part where I entered Medicine and Allied, chose Pediatrics, and found growth in the most unexpected place.

“Sometimes the place you never wanted to go becomes the place that teaches you the most.”


Transitionings from Surgery to Medicine and Allied

After completing my surgery and allied rotation, I moved into the Medicine and Allied module. For my allied specialty, I chose Pediatrics as allied part I continued  in the same private institute. However, something felt off. I wasn’t enjoying the exposure, the learning felt limited, and deep down, I knew I needed a better environment to grow.


That’s when I made the bold decision to apply to multiple government hospitals. Like many young doctors, I dreamed of getting into well-known teaching hospitals. Unfortunately, I wasnt selected in the famous ones. 

Instead  I was accepted by a relatively underrated government hospital located about an hour away from my home.

At first, it didn’t feel like a victory.

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.



Choosing an Underrated Government Hospital: A Decision That Changed Everything

The hospital was far. The travel was exhausting. My expenses increased. The daily commute felt overwhelming during the first two weeks.

Still, there were positives attributes :

- Better duty timings

- A decent salary

- No call duties

That balance encouraged me to continue. I started using local transport, adjusted my routine, and slowly adapted to the new lifestyle.


Then something unexpected happened , I felt respected as a house officer — far more than what I had experienced in a private setup.

“Respect in medicine is not demanded; it is earned through service and sincerity.”


Real Life Clinical Exposure That Transformed My Confidence

At this government hospital, doctors were rotated weekly between:

- Outdoor Patient Department (OPD)

- Wards

- Emergency Room (ER)


In General OPD, we managed nearly 200 patients daily. The wards had 40–50 admitted patients, and the ER was unpredictable — sometimes calm, sometimes overflowing with emergencies.

This intense exposure forced me to learn — not from books, but from real patients.


I gained hands-on experience managing:

- Dengue fever

- Malaria

-Cholera

- Typhoid

- Measles 

- Complicated TB 

Medical Emergencies like 

- Angina and myocardial infarction

-Stroke

- Asthama and COPD

- complicated Pneumonia cases.


Medicine stopped being a subject and started becoming a skill.



Falling in Love with Pediatrics Without Realizing It

My pediatric rotation was where my heart quietly shifted.

In the Pediatrics department, I learned:

- Neonatal care immediately after birth

- Vaccination schedules

- Management of neonatal jaundice

- Pediatric drug dosage calculations

- Fluid management in children

- Nutrition

- Common neonatal and childhood diseases


Without realizing it, Pediatrics grew on me.

The cries of newborns, the relief on parents’ faces, and the delicate responsibility of handling tiny lives slowly changed my perspective.

So much so that I decided to take a six-month extension in Pediatrics.

 “You don’t choose your specialty; sometimes your specialty chooses you.”



The Dilemma: Surgery or Pediatrics?

With a full year of pediatric experience, I seriously considered leaving Surgery to pursue Pediatrics. It felt more balanced for females, emotionally fulfilling, and less physically exhausting.

But then I reflected deeply.

-Would I feel challenged long-term?

- Would I get bored with repeated cases and similar management?

That inner debate shaped my final career direction — which I have described in another blog of mine.

The truth is: every specialty has beauty and burnout, growth and grief. The clarity doesn’t come instantly. It comes after experience.



Lessons and Practical Tips for Young Doctors

Here are some honest tips for medical graduates starting their house jobs:

1. Don’t Underestimate Underrated Hospitals

Famous hospitals give you a name, but smaller setups often give you real hands-on experience.


2. Exposure Builds Confidence

Seeing more patients daily builds decision-making skills faster than endless theory.


3. Comfort Delays Growth

The long distance, transport issues, and fatigue helped me grow mentally stronger.


4. Give Time to Every Rotation

You might fall in love with a field you never planned to choose.


5. Observe Yourself, Not Others

Your journey is unique. Don’t choose a specialty based on trends or family pressure.

“Your medical journey is not about becoming like others, it is about becoming the doctor you needed when you were a patient.”



Final Thoughts

Looking back, that one-hour drive, the exhausting first weeks, the local transport, and the heavy patient load shaped me more than any textbook ever could.

That underrated government hospital didn’t just teach me medicine.

It helped me discover myself.

And sometimes, that is the most powerful part of becoming a doctor.


If you’re a medical student or house officer, let me know your struggles in the comments — you’re not alone.

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