Inside Emergency Care: An Interview with Dr Bhavesh Joshi (Part-2)
In Part 2 of this exclusive interview, Dr. Shubham Halingali and Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas continue the conversation with Dr. Bhavesh Joshi, exploring the challenges, insights, and realities of life as an emergency care consultant.
Dr. Bhavesh Krishna Joshi, an Emergency Care Consultant from Raigad, Maharashtra, currently holds critical roles at Medisecure Superspeciality Hospital, Lilavati Hospital, and KEM Hospital, while also managing his own clinic in Khopoli. Since completing his MBBS from MIMER, Pune, in 2020, he has been deeply involved in emergency and critical care and is now pursuing a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine. In an engaging conversation with MedBound Times, he spoke about his early experiences, particularly at KEM Hospital, that sparked his passion for the field, and shared how managing 24-hour shifts and life-saving procedures has become part of his daily routine.
Dr. Joshi reflected on the emotional and clinical challenges of treating pediatric and undiagnosed cases, and shared a memorable case of a young trauma patient that left a lasting impact. He also addressed persistent medical myths—like outdated practices for snakebites and the belief in certain foods boosting platelet counts—emphasizing the importance of evidence-based care. According to him, the most essential skills in critical care are keen clinical judgment and strong presence of mind, especially under pressure.
Dr. Shubham Halingali: Let’s take a step back—can you tell us a bit about your MBBS journey? What were those years like for you?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: I began my MBBS in 2014 at MIMER Medical College in Pune, and I was thrilled to get the seat during the vacancy round—it was a big moment for me. The early years were full of excitement. The first year flew by, and in the second year, we had plenty of extracurriculars like college fests and sports. I’ve always been athletic, so I really enjoyed playing cricket, basketball, and football. From the third year onward, I started preparing for NEET PG, and during final year, we had subject-wise coaching classes alongside clinical exposure. That’s when I developed a strong interest in surgical emergencies. I liked the structured, hands-on nature of surgical care compared to the more trial-and-error approach in medical cases. By the end of MBBS, I was sure I wanted to work in emergency medicine, where I could manage patients actively and make an immediate difference.
Dr. Shubham Halingali: That’s great to hear, Dr. Bhavesh. Many of our readers are MBBS students or recent graduates, and quite a few are interested in pursuing a career in emergency care. What message or advice would you like to share with them?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: If you're considering a career in emergency medicine, my biggest advice is to be mentally strong. This field will expose you to life-and-death situations every day, and you must learn to stay calm under pressure. Panic can cost lives—yours and your patient’s. Presence of mind is everything. If you truly have the interest, go for it. Emergency medicine offers endless opportunities to learn and grow, and the knowledge you gain will always be valuable—not just professionally, but in everyday life.
Dr. Shubham Halingali: So, as you said, emergency care physicians need to have a strong heart and steady mind. How competitive would you say this field is, especially for those planning to pursue it?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Right now, everything in the medical field is competitive, and emergency medicine is no exception. If you're aiming for DNB or fellowship programs, it's relatively less competitive. But pursuing an MD or a DM in critical care is highly competitive due to limited seats and fewer consultants specializing in the field. The real challenge is that there aren’t many mentors available, so you often have to learn independently—through observation, reading, and hands-on experience.
Dr. Shubham Halingali: Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations? Do you see yourself moving into academics, continuing clinical practice, or perhaps starting your own setup someday?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Looking ahead, I’m very interested in moving into advanced surgical fields—especially robotic surgery. That’s why I’ve been learning German, as Germany has some of the best robotic training centers. My plan is to go there, explore advanced surgical techniques, and bring that knowledge back, especially since India is likely to expand in this area over the next 8–10 years. Right now, I’m focused on learning and skill-building for the next few years, while also planning to settle down personally. Eventually, I’d love to work across Europe, and in Germany, once you complete the B1/B2 language certification and pass the licensing exams (KP and FSP), you’re eligible to practice and even pursue super-specialties across EU nations.
Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas: Thank you, Dr. Bhavesh—and I truly wish you all the best in achieving your future goals. From your experience in emergency care, are there any common conditions that people tend to ignore or delay treatment for, which later turn into serious emergencies that could have been avoided with early intervention?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: There are a few conditions that people commonly ignore until they become emergencies. First and most importantly—chest pain should never be taken lightly. Whether it's on the left or right side, it must be evaluated promptly, especially to rule out cardiac issues. Many assume it’s just acidity, which can be dangerous.
Second, diabetic patients should get a full health check-up every six months. Due to nerve damage, they often don’t feel typical symptoms, which delays diagnosis until significant organ damage has occurred. Dizziness is another commonly overlooked symptom—it’s often brushed off as fatigue, but frequent dizziness should be investigated early. Cervical spondylosis is also becoming more common due to long hours of sitting and can contribute to dizziness. Lastly, in children, minor trauma—especially head injuries—often gets ignored if they seem fine afterward, but internal issues can surface later. It’s better to get such injuries assessed early rather than waiting for complications.
Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas: Have you ever seen a case where delayed care cost a life—something that could’ve been prevented with early treatment?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes, I’ve seen a few cases where delayed care made things worse. One was a 7-year-old girl who came in with high fever. Routine blood work showed extremely elevated RBC and WBC counts—likely due to undiagnosed lymphoma. She hadn’t had any prior tests, and we faced delays in getting a hematology consult. Despite ICU care, her condition worsened before we could start the right treatment.
In elderly patients, delays are even more common. Many ignore symptoms like vomiting or weakness, assuming it's age-related. I’ve seen hypertensive patients come in days later with silent strokes—by then, imaging shows infarcts or hemorrhage that could’ve been managed better if caught earlier.
Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas: In your experience, are there any practices—like superstitions or patient behaviors—that make emergency care particularly challenging in India? Something you think is unique to practicing here?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes, one common issue I’ve seen in India is patients with rashes—like maculopapular or infective skin rashes—opting for alternative medicine first. While it might help in some non-infectious cases, when the rash is due to a contagious condition, this delay can lead to its spread and worsen the patient’s condition. Lack of early diagnosis and reliance on non-medical remedies can really complicate emergency care.
Dr. Shubham Halingali: Lastly- You mentioned working 24-hour shifts, which can be incredibly demanding—even with a day off afterward. How do you manage the physical and mental toll of such long hours? And would you say emergency medicine is one of the most exhausting specialties in the medical field?
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Yes, absolutely—it’s both physically and mentally demanding. When I first started doing 24-hour shifts, the initial one or two months were really tough. But over time, I learned to manage better by prioritizing tasks. Instead of going bed-to-bed during ICU rounds, I now first assess which patients are most critical and focus on them. This helps me make quicker and more effective decisions.
I also make sure to take short breaks—two to three a day, not including meals—and I practice 2–3 minutes of meditation during each. It really helps me stay calm and centered during high-pressure situations. Along with that, I’ve started paying attention to my diet and overall lifestyle, which makes a big difference. Emergency medicine is definitely one of the most exhausting fields, but with the right mindset and routine, it becomes manageable.
Dr. Shubham Halingali & Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas: That’s truly valuable advice—learning to prioritize is essential not only for managing stress but also for delivering the best care to each patient. In a high-pressure healthcare environment, it’s a skill every doctor must develop. It allows us to focus where it matters most without compromising quality.
With that, we conclude our interview. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Bhavesh Joshi for taking the time to speak with us despite his demanding schedule. We’re genuinely grateful.
Dr. Bhavesh Joshi: Thank you so much for having me. Thank you Medbound team for the opportunity.
MSM/SE
