Success in highly competitive medical entrance exams requires unwavering dedication, strategic preparation, and immense support from family and mentors. Dr Priyanka KJ exemplifies these qualities, having secured an impressive All India Rank 22 in the NEET SS (Critical Care) 2020 exam. Her journey towards DM Critical Care at St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, is one of resilience, meticulous planning, and passion for intensive care medicine.
Sumesh Arora from Go the Extra Mile had the opportunity to speak with Dr Priyanka KJ about her preparation strategies, motivations, and the unique challenges women face while pursuing a career in critical care. Below is the insightful conversation that sheds light on her remarkable achievement.
Interview with Dr Priyanka KJ, AIR 22
Dear friends,
I would like to introduce you to a remarkable guest, Dr Priyanka KJ. Priyanka secured All-India 22nd rank in this year’s NEET SS Critical Care Exam for DM entrance, and has opted for DM Critical Care at the prestigious St John’s Medical College, Bangalore. Sumesh Arora from Go the Extra Mile had an opportunity to discuss with Priyanka the reasons behind her success, her motivation, and what it takes for women with a young family to succeed in highly competitive exams like the NEET SS.
GOTOTHEEXTRAMILE
Please tell us a little more about yourself, and how did you come to select Critical Care as a career choice?
Priyanka KJ:
I graduated from Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur. Diploma in Anesthesiology at Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Kolar and completed DNB in Anesthesiology from The Bangalore Hospital (a tertiary multispecialty hospital). I have taken up DM in Critical Care Medicine at ST John’s Medical College, Bangalore.
Although as anesthesiologists we understand human physiology and are confident with procedural skills, I forever felt that additional training is required to be able to assess and stabilize critically ill patients requiring multi-organ support. The techniques of haemodynamic monitoring, critical care ultrasound and screening echocardiography, understanding pathophysiology and symptomatology of severe infectious diseases, troubleshooting of patients on mechanical ventilation with multi-organ dysfunction are but a few of the areas of critical care I was introduced to during my Senior Residency at St John’s Medical College ICU. Above all, the satisfaction obtained from applying the best scientific knowledge to treat critically ill patients is invaluable to me.
GOTOTHEEXTRAMILE
How did you prepare for the DM entrance exam? Can you please tell us some of the things that you did that set you apart from others?
Priyanka KJ:
DM entrance examination (NEET SS) in India has a very unpredictable pattern of assessment. And hence I decided to build my concepts around important topics in Medicine and Intensive Care. This helped me solve MCQs that were based on similar concepts but presented in different clinical scenarios. Opting to do Senior Residency in a closed ICU setup also helped as this time the NEET SS MCQs were clinical problem-based.
GTEM online tests covered all the topics of significance in Intensive Care and Anesthesia. The GTEM WhatsApp group and tests helped me stay focused during the stressful period such as the pandemic.
Other sources I referred to included the Washington Manual, Medicine MCQ book by Deepak Marwah, a variety of online articles, and almost all the GTEM tests.
The one thing that probably made a big difference was the fact that I was very mindful of the number of negative attempts in my exam.
GOTOTHEEXTRAMILE
Who has been the biggest influence in your success in the DM entrance exam?
Priyanka KJ:
The biggest drive has been the zeal to learn in-depth. I have been witness to incidents wherein my own critically ill relatives probably did not get the best intensive care treatment they deserved.
My strength has been my family undoubtedly, as they stood by me through nearly eight months of intense preparation. I fail to find words to thank my husband, Dr Harish Kumar H, who is a Surgical Oncologist himself. From his previous experience of cracking the MCh entrance examination, his guidance and motivation were pivotal to my success.
GOTOTHEEXTRAMILE
You are the highest-ranked female among the participants of the GTEM EDIC Study group. I would like to know your perspective on what some of the challenges faced by women are while preparing for the DM entrance exam.
Priyanka KJ
Yes, to answer the question closest to my heart. It has not been without challenges among the many responsibilities of a woman. I am a mother to a four-year-old daughter and a daughter-in-law to the most supportive in-laws. My mother-in-law and my mother stepped in to take care of my inquisitive but understanding toddler during the last two months of exam preparation. Apart from the support I got from my husband and family, I have realized the significant role played by the “internal monologue” that constantly goes on in one’s mind. Self-belief, living one day at a time, and avoiding past or future thoughts have radically changed the way I approach any challenge.
I quote Rabindranath Tagore to end – *‘I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy’.*
Postscript
Dr Priyanka KJ’s journey to securing AIR 22 in NEET SS Critical Care 2020 is a testament to perseverance, strategic preparation, and the importance of a strong support system. Her story highlights the challenges and triumphs of balancing professional aspirations with personal responsibilities, particularly for women in medicine.
Her advice on concept-based preparation, minimizing negative attempts, and leveraging online resources like GTEM is invaluable for future aspirants. Moreover, her emphasis on self-belief and taking life one step at a time is an inspiration to many.
For those preparing for competitive medical exams, Dr Priyanka KJ’s journey is proof that with the right mindset and support, success is achievable. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours in the field of critical care medicine.
