How is an MS in general surgery at BJMC Pune?

Terrible experience... Avoid it at all costs!

BJMC Pune used to have a solid reputation, but it's taken a nosedive. Most of the experienced faculty have either retired or been moved elsewhere, and the current head of the department is quite problematic. He has unfairly targeted residents, and in the most recent MS General Surgery exams, 5 out of 17 residents didn't pass.

This kind of failure rate hasn't been seen in any other residency programs in Maharashtra for the last decade. The guy in charge is a bully and doesn't hesitate to mess up people's careers. Plus, there's zero teaching going on! No clinics, no lectures, nothing. Residents are just left to do all the work without any guidance from the department or hospital.

It's honestly the worst hospital in Maharashtra. Seriously, steer clear!

Review of the General Surgery Department at BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune

After achieving an All India Rank of 743, I was excited to join one of the state's top institutions. Initially, I picked JJ Hospital but found it too far from my family. So, in the third round of 2023 counseling, I switched to Sassoon General Hospital and BJ Medical College in Pune.

I had heard some not-so-great things about SGH, and my main aim was to stay close to home while finishing my degree. But my view changed as time went on.

CASE EXPOSURE
For a general surgeon, having a variety of cases is key. SGH provides a broad range of experiences, covering abdominal surgeries, breast and thyroid operations, as well as rare diseases, cancer cases, urology, bariatric, and minimally invasive surgeries. Unlike some big-name institutes, SGH feels more like a family, helping you grow as both a person and a surgeon. The General Surgery department handles everything from simple surgeries to tough cases like cholangiocarcinoma and RCC. With six competent units, you get a well-rounded education, no matter your unit, and rotations add to your learning. Laparoscopic surgery is common, and transplants are routine, including kidney transplants and sometimes liver ones. This provides the diverse case exposure needed for a general surgeon.

COMPLEX CASES -ICUS and HOLISTIC care
Surgery isn't just about easy cases; it's about handling complications, ICU care, and having strong anesthesia support. At SGH, residents often manage ventilators, intubations, tracheostomies, central lines, and ABG analysis. Performing a clean hernia surgery is one thing, but handling a complex hernia with an ASA 3-4 rating or a perforation with septic shock is another. SGH prepares you for these challenges. The surgical management isn't very active in the Medicine department, so you also get to learn Medicine management. Plus, with fewer ego issues among departments, you learn to approach patients holistically and learn from other departments.

Tertiary Care Referral Setup
As the only government tertiary care center in the Pune, Sangli, Satara, and Ahmednagar regions, SGH handles the toughest cases without referring them elsewhere. This ensures residents gain experience with the most challenging cases.

Tertiary Care Gastroenterology and HBP surgery
SGH routinely performs ERCP and advanced procedures, giving surgery residents valuable interdisciplinary experience. They also perform pancreatic and liver surgeries regularly, offering additional exposure to HBP cases.

Superspecialty Exposure - Less yet Promising
While SGH lacks a dedicated gastroenterology or oncology department, it offers excellent exposure to neurosurgery and plastic surgery, allowing surgery residents to gain hands-on experience. The lack of dedicated departments means general surgeons handle a wider variety of cases, enhancing the learning experience.

Accessibility
With departments like wards, OT, pathology, and microbiology all on the same floor, there's no need to run around, making things more efficient. The radiology department is helpful and available 24/7, so getting scans isn't a hassle. The CODE BLUE team is always ready to help any resident with cases that take a turn for the worse, with skilled staff and all necessary intubation equipment.

Conferences and City Exposure
Being in Pune, a city with a strong medical community, SGH residents can attend regular conferences organized by the Poona Surgical Society and others. These events are great for watching skilled surgeons and staying updated on the latest field developments.

Surgical Equipment and HITECH OTs
SGH has one of the best OT setups in a government hospital, with multiple harmonics, MARSEALs, Ligasures, laparoscopic equipment, tissue glues, laparoscopic mesh, and endoscopes, which residents use routinely.

Wards and Side Room Facilities
Ward side rooms at SGH are some of the best I've seen in any college. The rooms are well-equipped, and doctor washrooms are in good condition. Wards are clean, well-maintained, and secure, with guards present.

Personal Time
After the first year, you'll likely have plenty of time for personal growth and self-care.

Cons:

• MLC Cases: As the only tertiary care setup in the area, SGH handles all medico-legal cases, which can be quite draining due to the paperwork involved.
• Sur...