Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Hello everyone, I’m Dr. Bhavesh Krishna Joshi, a 28-year-old emergency care physician from Raigad, Maharashtra. I currently work as an Emergency Care Consultant at Medisecure Superspeciality Hospital in Kamothe, Navi Mumbai. In addition, I serve as a Cardiac Emergency Doctor at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, and as a Casualty Medical Officer at KEM Hospital, Mumbai. I also run my outpatient clinic in Khopoli, Maharashtra. I am presently pursuing a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine through Aster Health Academy. Since completing my MBBS in 2020, I have been actively involved in the emergency and critical care sector across various reputed hospitals.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Sure. After completing my MBBS, I began my journey at KEM Hospital in Mumbai. It’s a high-pressure government setup where I handled a wide range of emergencies—cardiac, neuro, trauma—and that’s where my interest in critical care grew. I then worked with a US-based healthcare company, reviewing patient charts to identify missing diagnoses and improve care and insurance outcomes. After that, I joined Medisecure Hospital in Navi Mumbai. I started as an RMO and currently serve as an Emergency Care Consultant, managing ICU, casualty, and trauma patients, including procedures like intubation and central line placement. I also work at Lilavati Hospital as a Cardiac Emergency Consultant, where I manage and stabilize heart failure and MI cases before cardiology takes over.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes. As a doctor, I’ve always wanted to save lives, but I wasn’t sure how until I discovered emergency medicine. It gives me a platform to truly make a difference, especially when patients come in critically ill. Being able to help in those moments is incredibly satisfying. At the same time, emergency care comes with challenges—emotional and mental. Performing procedures on small children or elderly patients can be tough, and we often work within limitations. But there's always something new to learn, and it’s a field that constantly pushes you to stay strong and focused.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: My weekly schedule is quite packed. I usually do 24-hour shifts three times a week—8 AM to 8 AM the next day—with a day off in between. That gives me about three days off weekly, which I use to rest, study for exams, and learn German. During my shifts, I start with casualty and ICU rounds, perform any required procedures, and then supervise RMOs who manage ongoing care. I oversee the overall line of treatment and report any major events to the consultants. It’s intense, but I make sure to balance work and personal growth.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Honestly, I didn’t expect the schedule to be this intense at first, but I’ve gotten used to it. Earlier, when I was doing 8-hour hospital shifts, I’d usually get weekends off. But now, the schedule is completely different—my duties can fall on any day, including Sundays. Moving from 8-hour shifts to 24-hour duties was a big change, but it’s all part of adapting to the system.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Pediatric emergencies are more challenging because children can’t always express what they’re feeling, which makes it harder to pinpoint the cause. But even in adults, we often face similar issues, like when a patient presents with just dizziness. It could be anything from a neurological issue to a cardiac problem, or even something as simple as an electrolyte imbalance. In such cases, we rely heavily on investigations, which can delay treatment. These limitations can be frustrating, especially when protocols must be strictly followed. One small deviation, and the entire treatment flow can be affected.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes, definitely—there’s one case I’ll never forget. It was shortly after I started my fellowship. A 4- or 5-year-old boy was brought into the casualty by his mother after being chased by a dog. In the panic, he fell from a 3–4-foot-high staircase, suffering both a dog bite and a head injury. I still remember the mother carrying him in, bleeding heavily. We struggled to control the bleeding and assess him properly—he had both external trauma and possible neuro damage. It was one of the most challenging and emotionally disturbing cases I’ve faced. But the most rewarding part? About 12–13 days later, he walked out of the hospital on his own. That moment stayed with me.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: In trauma care, suturing is one of the most common procedures I perform. In the ICU, intubation is quite routine, along with central line placement when needed. In casualty, we follow basic emergency protocols—starting with ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) and focusing on stopping bleeding and stabilizing the patient as quickly as possible.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: First and foremost, I believe the most essential skill for any doctor is the ability to pick up on symptoms early. If you miss that, it can lead to a poor outcome for both the patient and the physician. Accurate symptom recognition forms the foundation of effective treatment. The second key skill, especially in emergency care, is presence of mind. You need to stay alert, make quick decisions, and be fully aware of the situation at hand—that’s what truly makes a difference in critical moments.

Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes. One common misconception I often see—even among medical professionals—is related to snake bites. Many still believe that tying a tight band around the limb where the bite occurred will stop the venom from spreading. But unless it's done properly and with a clear understanding of whether the venom is neurotoxic or hemotoxic, it can do more harm than good. In reality, proper assessment and protocol matter more than these outdated methods.

Another widespread belief is around food and immunity. For example, in cases of low platelet counts, people are often recommended to eat papaya leaves or kiwi. While it may offer some hope and reassurance, there’s no solid scientific evidence proving it helps increase platelets. It’s important to counsel patients with empathy, but also make sure we rely on evidence-based practices.