HOUSEMAN are COCKROACHES !!!

Man, that title - like the picture above just sends jitters down people's spines.


I don't know why but whenever I start a video or post, I tend to always reiterate the fact that I am a doctor. e.g.

"As you all know, I am a doctor"

I must apologize as I tend to have short-term memory unlike my readers/ people who watch my videos. #IMHO (In my honest opinion) there must be a God because me becoming a doctor with the little effort I put in compared to my colleagues - is a miracle. Them people are hardcore nerds man. I guess that's why I write and make videos - a hobby/ place to runaway from the "responsibility" bestowed upon me with the title DOCTOR.

Anyway, a week back I released a video with the title
"HOUSEMAN are COCKROACHES !!!".
Before jumping to conclusions that I am a malignant power-house medical officer who humiliates and condemn my junior doctors - houseofficers, Please do watch the video.

Surprised to say that video of mine went semi-viral amongst the doctor-circle in Malaysia (8000 plus views as i type). It is my most popular video since years back when I made violin videos or other videos that I removed from youtube in light of my professional outlook. Essentially, my video drew mixed feelings.

I spoke about what I see happening - somewhat like a daily routine: Senior doctors belittling the junior ones. If you didn't know, a medical student is proud and happy despite the "stress" up until they begin working from the bottom up. Most medical schools prepare the young padawan with knowledge to overcome illnesses. However, this knowledge sometimes only ends up lost in translation to clinical application.

If you've lost me there (geddit lost in translation? *crashcymbal), I'm talking about the stride from being a student and leaping to the heavy shoulders of a doctor. Although they're taught how to problem solve in medicinal sense - dealing with a patient for real is a whole different ballgame. The vast array of disease and atypical variants are astonishing to say the least. With that in mind, the junior doctor is not given a moment of failure.

At least in Malaysia, from the day you report to work -

YOU'RE EXPECTED TO FUNCTION!

I won't get into the details of it, but basically the learning curve is near 90 degrees steep and the student must be able to cope with physical and emotional stress daily. The issue is, like any other profession there comes a time when he or she experiences the BAD BOSS.

As I said, it's all about expectations. The houseman (or any other junior doctor) must endure brutal remarks or sometimes even physical abuse for mistakes as minute as a word written wrongly on the patient notes. You may think I'm exaggerating, but I assure you I am not. This kind of attitude from the senior doctors is what I was trying to address.

If we don't teach the younger generation what is wrong from right, they will grow up and be 'wrong' like their predecessors

I must clarify that I did not mention by any means that it is wrong for the superior to "teach" the junior, but instead of socially humiliating the person in front of patients and the surrounding on-lookers - to approach mistakes or inadequacies in a more appropriate manner. I won't continue further but let the video speak for itself.


HOUSEMAN are COCKROACHES !!!
o


Finally, for the ones who thumbbed up my vids as I was standing up for the so called "victimised", as I said at the end of the video - people will not ill treat you by any standards unless you are not up to the minimum expectation. So like I always do for myself, I urge everyone to evaluate themselves regularly to better ourselves and to improve patient safety.

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A Malaysian Government Doctors Rant

As a child I was pre-groomed to be a doctor. Those who know me would probably say - we know! However, I don't say this merely due to my Punjabi side of my mixed heritage.

Remember when you were in school and they make you write those essays "My ambition" ? Well, I wanted to be a scientist/ surgeon. Probably due to my constant analytical and scientific inquisition.
Knowledge was powerful, and I as many - wanted to be powerful.

As I grew older, my mind was open to new and more intriguing career paths. By the age of 14-years-old I wanted to be a professional pool player! And I believed it was achievable! Youngest world champion was only 15. I would've been younger :P Ah, the big dreams.

It didn't stop there and never stopped since. I went through a lengthy process of trying to be a musician, engineer, and race car/ f1 driver. But, my asian heritage eventually pushed me to the line of medicine believing that the rest are merely hobbies than career options. With much debate and heaps of miracles - I am as you already know, a Doctor.

Many would argue that I should chase my dreams and do what I love in life. Suffice to say, God has a greater plan for every one of us. And looking back, I am glad I chose to follow God's plan. I am who I am today and have everything I have because I chose to follow.

Do not misinterpret me. I do have my complaints and dissatisfactions being a doctor. I wanted to quit being a doctor many times for many reasons:

the lengthy hours, no day off, no proper meals, 

inappropriate wage, donkey work, lousy colleagues, 

poor patient care, and the list goes on. 

In a gist, I felt that I deserve(d) more for the effort and heart I put into my work and to the patient's I care for.

Yes yes. I know what's on your mind and many especially Malaysians.

"You should know that being a doctor is a sacrifice; if you're in it for the money you should do something else"

Those are the common lines used. But let me say this very LOUDLY:

CHOOSING TO BE A DOCTOR DOES NOT MEAN YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE A PAUPERS/AVERAGE LIFE AND NEGLECT YOUR ENTIRE PERSONAL WELL BEING, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

I say this because we as doctors in Malaysia have already come to a point where there's no return.

We (doctors who work in the government) have the

GOVERNMENT SERVANTS ATTITUDE:

jealousy, discontent, abundant complaints, can I punch out yet.

We constantly draw self pity amongst friends who are working other jobs and are doing much better than us. Always saying "Not as rich as you", "Don't have so much free time as you", "On-call".

We stereotype doctors in the private sector as sell-outs/ money hungry people. Yet, We complain about being over-worked and underpaid on a weekly if not daily basis. I know countless doctors who work second jobs: e.g insurance, MLM's, online businesses, and etc.

We become workers than doctors. Rather than taking that extra half hour or even 15 minutes to explain to a patient the need for a lifestyle change for his/her illness- many scold the patients and condemn them for their actions that brought them to the hospital. Imagine if you were the ill patient. I guarantee that you probably think twice about going to see a doctor the next time you're ill. You'd probably go to the "bomoh" or "sin seh". And doctors probably say, why didn't he/she come see us rather than seek alternative medicine. Geez I wonder why???!

We become critics and Gods. Many Senior doctors instil fear into houseman (junior doctors)/ medical-officers (junior compared to specialists and consultants) and as such create an unwanted working environment that essentially says -

do not disturb me, if you do i will scold you ; 

you must know how to be a doctor, but i'm not going to teach you how.

And if something goes wrong?? You can imagine the ferocity and beating the young doctor goes through. Common sense, a person can never learn if he or she is never taught to begin with.

The years of diligent study and joy we brought to our families when we received the title MBBS or MD on our graduation day, to some young doctors seem pointless and a wasted effort. The potentials of individuals who could have been an outstanding physician/surgeon/ etc -

ruined by the so-called "more experienced doctors".

Many of us who practice would probably agree that we would not want our children to become doctors due to any number of reasons I mentioned above.

I leave you with this to ponder upon:

1. What do you think is the problem with our system compared to other countries?
2. Is it the hierarchy that everyone hates yet when in power uses blatantly?
3. Is it the patient to doctor ratio?
4. Or does it boil down to doctors in the government service being "under-paid"?

Btw, I have a youtube channel too! click here

Need extra income too ya know :P LOL

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To change or NOT to change

Change is a word that describes the forever constant and perpetual innovation of a specific item or circumstance. Simply put, change is a process that occurs everyday at any point in time, without people even realizing it's occurrence.

From a baby we change into young learners, mimicking and slowly developing our own cognitive ability. By the time we know it, we're already in the dilemmas of teenage-hood. Scouring for the most beautiful girlfriend and engaging ourselves into activities that would slowly define our permanent character.

Jump forward past college and obtaining the dream career with a scroll that not only honors our parents desire for our lives but also take us on a path away from our comfort zone. We then only really start to realize that change has happened.

We weren't that same toddler in diapers or class monitor. We evolved into a person of contribution to society and one that prolongs mankind's existence by starting our own families with children.

But let us not mistake that despite change being flowery, it may also lead us unto a narrow and dim path where regrets will crop up, pushing us onto the edge of the tallest peak in the vicinity. Contemplating the decision to change our life with death. Interesting isn't it?

We live our lives aiming for the next "A" or 4.0 GPA, pay-rise and the next luxurious holiday, but only the few aim to change their lives from zero to hero. And thus i leave you with this,

What's your CHANGE today?

P.s. Should i change my blog layout? Haha. Have a gr8 day!


- Posted using BlogPress from BeN'Z iPad mini Retina

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5 years, Officially a Doctor! MBBS

As the title goes, this morning I woke up as Benedict Sachdev the medical student from IMU.
I will be sleeping tonight as Dr Benedict Sachdev MBBS (IMU).

It has been a long journey of 5 years.

Began on the 28/2/08 
2 and a half years pre-clinical phase1 at Bukit Jalil IMU campus
2 years clinical phase 2 at IMU Seremban Campus and half a year at IMU Batu Pahat Campus
Ended on the 28/2/13


The past years have been full of wonderful memories from the

mind blowing orientation of ragging and bullying, 

enjoying the daily 2 hour lectures as a holiday, 

memorizing FLM's at the library, 

practicing clinical skills at the clinical skills unit, 

representing the batch, house team and IMU in sports, 

attending life changing talks, 

having tea in the library and hanging out at the student pool lounge,

rushing assignments like a mad person,

waking up as early as 5 am to get to the hospital,

preparing presentations one after another,

enjoying my life staying next to the beach,

watching movies at the cinema on a near weekly basis,

playing games, youtubing and making videos,

talking with people of superior intellect and ... ,

embracing the government health care system with my now fellow colleagues,

sharing memories and tears with patients,

witnessing life and it's middle and end,

travelling back and forth as the only crazy person from Port dickson to Seremban on a daily basis,

running home on weekends to spend time with family and friends,

studying last minute and passing by God's grace,

staying for the first time in my life with a housemate,

food hunting and tasting with buddies,

hanging out at the shopping mall,

football gang/futsol gang,

sitting exams one after another,

and lastly - enjoying this experience of learning with wonderful friends, lecturers, staff, and most importantly family & God.

Truly I tell you, this course at IMU (international medical university) has been life changing, maturity growing, knowledge overwhelming, fun and leisure filled, and lastly one of a kind!



Thank you my dear family, friends, colleagues, teachers, lecturers, university, hospital and clinic staff, and everyone else who have played even a minor role in my journey at IMU. Most importantly thank you God who without I would not have become Doctor Benedict Sachdev!

Congratulations MeDt108 / C2/10! Press on and be a good impact to society. Always remember, you can do it! FAR OUT!


for those wondering, i got a family medicine case for my exam with ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and alcoholism. I was asked about both my obs&gynae as well as orthopaedics portfolio.

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Final Exam for MBBS

Short note. sorry for the lack of updates. have been busy with chinese new year celebrations and now in 3 days time - Wednesday 27/2/13 I will be sitting for my final examination!

After 5 years in the medical course at IMU(international medical university, Malaysia), it boils down to this:

1. Waiting in the hall at IMU Seremban campus at 7:30am on wednesday. 
2. They call me for exam
3. 1 hour with a patient with any type of disease under the sun - obtain a full history, perform a thorough physical examination, make a diagnosis, plan out the investigations and management
4. half hour with 3 examiners about the patient
5. half hour with another 3 examiners about any of my 10 portfolios/reports I prepared in my final semester

And by then, I go home and sulk/ celebrate.

On Thursday 28/2/13, that is the following day -
I will know if I will continue being regular Benedict, or Doctor Benedict!


Do Pray for me. I reallly realllyy need it! haha.

To the rest of my colleagues, all the best! Here goes nothing!

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It just gets funnier!!

A short remix of the whole "political" incident. LOL

Dance Remix: Listen! Listen! When I Speak, Listen!

1 comment was to play this in clubs. Farout.

You probably can buy the game soon!

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The Sharifah-Bavani HEAT!

Like the meme? hehe.

If you have read yesterday's post, saw the video, "listened"... You will understand exactly what this controversial rapper/filmmaker "speaks".

[Namewee Tokok] 009 Listen 聽我說 15-01-2013

Still uncertain what I am talking about? I found the video on youtube!

Miss Sharifah Zohra Jabeen VS Miss Bavani di UUM

Check my previous blogpost for a better read!

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Politics, never pretty

I just watched a video on facebook. I am unable to share the video here, but if you are interested to know what I speak of - click here.

DISCLAIMER: I do not endorse any form of politics and am of a personal and unbiased opinion. Please disregard them if you do not feel it is right.


To start, I watched this video as it was being shared all over facebook. I shared one myself! hehe

And to give you an idea of why I chose to share this, here are some user comments who shall stay anonymous.

Now, just as I posted on facebook - i am of the opinion that there are valid reasons and points that the parties involved have raised. I do not agree with their conversational and public speaking methods, but in the heat of the moment I guess we could excuse that (sorta).

In a public forum where people are technically of the right to speak out their mind, I feel that there is some fair amount of time given to the student. I do however am rather disgusted by the way the "speaker lady" cut the student off.

She raises the issue of respecting elders and etc, that make sense, but not in this circumstance. Her tone and speech was in essence to just condemn the poor girl in front of everyone else and to show her superiority of "oh i am the boss here you lil' punk ass". A better means of stopping her would be to explain nicely that she would give another few points for the girl to make then it is her turn.

After cutting her off, we then see the nature of this speaker. She not only criticizes the student for having an opinion. Moreover, making fun of her with hypothetical settings of animals. I mean seriously woman, as you mentioned the student's education level is poor, your intellect is also extremely poor because you compare yourself (humans) to animals. If life were as simple as saying, why can't you be like a dog and sit down when i tell you or etc, then you might as well be a dog and let the dog be a human correct?

You may be reading this and feeling some sort of unhappiness from my writing. The reason being I totally hate it when people claim to be of higher maturity/ intellect/ education/ etc - in front of me, when their actions and words they utter are plain absurd and idiotic.


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Instead of leaving a wall of text on this post, I leave it to you to decide. What is your opinion?
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Mine stands firm, the student needs to take the nations spendings as a whole rather than narrow it down to just the education sector and compare it to other countries. She has to realize many other countries with free education are having taxes of almost 50% for high income earners. It is easy to say charge higher taxes - but for those of low incomes are barely affected and it is very unfair to the rest who work equally as hard in their fields and have to return 50% just for the sake of the nation and others who do not appreciate or acknowledge their hardwork and just condemn the rich.

The speaker should have her brains checked when she asks the student to leave the country from her dissatisfaction. As a born Malaysian she has every right to be upset if she feels that the government is not doing her right. It may not be correct what she says, but there are way better means of tackling such situations. Humiliating people publicly and bragging of your "respect" and so called "educated" nature just shows that you are nothing more than a person who is shallow and really not educated enough. Having a degree or masters only means u are educated in a profession to do a specific task. Not an educated and wise person. Never ever, compare humans with animals because the day you do, you should be treated as one to eat grass like the cows and be kept in cages.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY! The asian way

Birthdays! WOHOOO! everyone lovessss'em :)
When it's theirs of course...

Probably not so much in their birthday suit though :P

After having not uploaded any new content for about a year on my youtube channel, 2013 is the year to return!

To kick-start my career once more is this video:


HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY! The asian way - lifeofbenz




Hope you thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't forget to like and subscribe!!!

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Suicide: a second chance!

If you thought for one moment that your problems would end by your death, you're wrong. It would just carry on - leaving it with people who care about you.



You may say nobody cares about you; your relationship is down the drain; finances are essentially as good as bankruptcy; you're doing the world a favor by removing your worthless and useless self off from the face of the Earth.

Let me tell you something:

You are worth so much more than that!

Don't let people dictate who you are. They may say you're an idiot, a freak, stupid or even a disappointment. But all in all, the decision is in your hands.

You can make a change, you can make a difference!

Don't be a had been, could have been or any other been been. Be a person that is going to be a someone in the future! Everyone has the right for a better future, a better life - it's just whether they endure the pain and life's crap long enough to see the end of the tunnel.


At the end of the day, if all hope is lost - always remember, no matter what religion you believe in (christianity, muslim, buddha, hindu or etc.), that BIG MAN up there is always ready to hear you out and comfort you.

You probably tell me you have tried but to no avail. It's all about timing my friend. May not be today, tomorrow, the next week, month, year, decade - but so long you hang on and persevere, at the right time and moment, you will reap the rewards and be so ever grateful that on this day you chose a better ending for yourself.

Be smart, make a change, make a difference - 

you are more special and worth it than you could ever imagine!

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The letter 'R'

When you see or hear of the letter 'R', what comes to mind?


Chances are you're thinking of:

1. Racing

2. Running

3. Re-(something)

4. Raw

5. Rape

6. Regret

7. Random

8. Rock and ... Etc.



But at this moment I am thinking of "reality".






Reality that i have paved my path to becoming a healer, a professional, a dedicated, a responsible .. DoctoR.




And the thoughts that pass through my mind are:
1. There goes personal time
2. No more dream house or car
3. Another millennium of studying and more exams



Negative i know, but i can't help it. The idea that my peers in other career paths have been working for at least 1 to two years by the time i graduate, people have a more relaxing life, able to support themselves and family...


Well, perseverance they say. Optimistically, we "save" and "heal" people. That should be enough satisfaction isn't it? But to me it is not.



This is because i realize that for the most of it i am just assisting what magnificent healing abilities this thing called the human body that God created is already capable of. With or without my intervention, people will get better.






At the end of it as well, who am i to claim "i treated and healed you".


The never ending dilemma of a doctor-in-progress (final prototype).



Btw, how do you like my drawing and pictures? Haha.

- Posted using BlogPress from BeN'Z New iPad

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This picture says it all!!!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Glory to God for by His strength and grace i pullled through :)


Below is when we were waiting for our results - high tension in the air.





Below is what made us all smile!





- Posted using BlogPress from BeN'Z iPad 2

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First Professional Exam (Medicine)

The time has come whereby i am nearing the phase of my life of being a full fledged "doctor".

My exams are next week wednesday and thursday (8th and 9th respectively) , and clinical the following monday and tuesday (13 and 14respectively).

My results will be on wednesday the 15th where they will tell me if i pass or fail or have to take an immediate re-sit if i am borderline pass/fail.


I am at my wits about the exams i have millions of things i have yet to even read let alone study, and i only have a span of several days. I really need God to intervene and help me pass this (same as everything else it seems).

For it is on my own strength, i am unable; but with Him, i am certain it is possible and i pray it happens!


Do pray for me and hope my next post here are of joyous happenings and me rambling about moving to Batu Pahat for my final semester when i pass!

Thanks in advance and God bless!


- Posted using BlogPress from BeN'Z iPad 2

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