Passion for Occupational Health: Unveiling the Journey of Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar (Part 2)

Vithya Manoharan: Sir, how has LFOM (Licentiateship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine) from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland contributed to your professional growth?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Definitely, it contributes because we are referring to international standards, we learn the best practices and gain insights into what is happening worldwide. We stay updated on the latest advances, as the course led me through various research articles and the latest journals, requiring extensive referencing. Reviewing scientific articles keeps us informed and connected with the latest developments in the field of occupational medicine.

It allowed me to delve deeper into better research and have a holistic view that would have been difficult otherwise. Many things I learned during this course have been put into practice at my workplace, and I'm constantly sharing these insights with other occupational health physicians across the country.

The power of social media provides a platform to connect with people, share best practices, and learn from others globally. This has been instrumental in overcoming the initial hurdles in my career. With time, my perceptions changed, and I got various opportunities to talk about occupational medicine on national and international platforms. I utilized every position I held to contribute to the field, ultimately benefiting the workers. Understanding their health challenges and finding ways to promote their well-being is crucial for our economy, as productivity relies on the health of the workforce.

Vithya Manoharan: Now we know that having a work-life balance is crucial so, we are curious to know how you strike a balance between your responsibilities, your passion for research and academia, and also your personal life?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Work-life balance is very important. It's having an inclusive life. Time management plays a vital role in this. You have to know how to celebrate your small wins and also know how to embrace the failures that come your way.

Vithya Manoharan: As a doctor, you might come across a lot of incidents or memorable cases. So, what was that one incident that left a lasting impact on your mind?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Well, I had many such moments which have left a lasting impact. But the latest one was to be honored with the Best Young Doctor Award in the country. It keeps me very much motivated to do much more. I realized that this is not where I have to settle, but this is where the journey begins.

Vithya Manoharan: Implementing something crucial. We can preach a lot, but still, people may never pay any attention to it. So what do you do as an approach for the implementation of occupational health programs in organizations?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Well, I am very fortunate that in all the organizations I've worked in, I had a good personal rapport with the top management, and it is very important to maintain that.

I firmly believe that it reflects on your interpersonal relationships and what you share with others. Even if you've never met someone or seen them, how you interact can leave a lasting impression and make a long-term impact.

I always strive to gain as much knowledge as possible in my field of work. When people see that you know your subject well, they develop trust and faith in you. Once there is trust, there is a willingness to support you. My management supported me because they trusted me with the responsibility and allowed me to run programs for the well-being of the workforce. It's important to convey to management that these initiatives make sense from a business point of view. We all know that health is wealth, and explaining how health transforms into wealth, improving productivity, reducing sickness absenteeism, and enhancing employee well-being and motivation are key points that I emphasize while presenting these programs to the management. This approach has been successful in implementing these initiatives until now.

Vithya Manoharan: What role do you think technology will play in the future of occupational health?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Technology plays a very major role in occupational medicine. We attend so many international webinars, all thanks to technology. It allows us to share our ideas and views globally—I'm here, sitting and talking to you, sharing so much about occupational medicine. This is how the field is growing, and we're learning about the best practices worldwide.

When we apply technology in our workplaces, we can analyze trends and leverage the advantage of artificial intelligence. This helps us understand the trajectory of various health parameters, offering a comprehensive perspective on how someone's health may improve or deteriorate based on their habits. Technology is pivotal in occupational medicine, and advancements have contributed to reducing exposure to various hazards.

For instance, consider dust exposure hazards. The latest technology ensures dust-free operations by using cutting machines with enclosures, significantly minimizing dust production. The isolation of processes is another benefit. Embracing the latest technology helps prevent hazards, and isolate, substitute, and eliminate risks that were once prevalent. In the long run, technology has made things better, easier, and certainly more beneficial for all.

Priya Bairagi: How do you ensure your work-life balance and personal well-being?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Work-life balance is very important, and one needs to know how to strike the right balance. It's a thin line that needs to be drawn very carefully.

As I commute to work, I use that time to listen to good podcasts or something motivational, learning from individuals more knowledgeable than me. Once at work, I'm engaged with patients, seeing and learning from various cases. When back home, I prefer to be gadget-free for some time, limiting TV or any OTT platform usage to only weekends. I prefer using planners for meetings and scheduling other activities during work hours.

It's about managing time effectively and ensuring that personal and professional aspects are well-aligned.

Priya Bairagi: Sir, what are your future goals?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: My future goal is to witness India emerge as one of the pioneers in occupational medicine. That's what I always aspire for and to be a part of this revolution of employee wellbeing. Several people are working towards this big dream and I feel that every person at the workplace is duly respected and cared for, right from the daily wage manual worker to the CEO.

Himani Negi: Sir, when you were discussing work-life balance, you mentioned the importance of getting eight hours of sleep and sticking to your work timings. In occupational medicine, are there emergencies similar to those in emergency medicine, where a doctor needs to be available to treat patients?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Definitely. Sometimes major unfortunate accidents are bound to happen at the workplace as we are working with machines.

There are a lot of injuries that take place which may occur due to man-machine interaction. At the same time, medical emergencies are not uncommon; you could see a young healthy person who comes with chest pain. So all these things in the field of being an occupational physician, first you need to be a good clinician along with being a promoter of good health, as ultimately prevention is better than cure.

Himani Negi: What is the current trend of Occupational Health in India?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Definitely, it is positive. If I look at things from a decade back, there has been a tremendous difference between then and now. Information dissemination among people has increased significantly. People are more aware, and the pandemic has been a blessing in disguise. It made people realize the importance of personal safety at all levels.

When we can accept the fact that something we cannot see, feel, or touch can cause harm, it opens our eyes to the possibility of many other unseen threats in our surroundings. This heightened awareness has garnered attention from the public, governmental agencies, statutory bodies, and all major stakeholders.

Himani Negi: Great, sir. I think we have cleared all queries and doubts. Still, is there anything else that you want to share?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: Yes, the world is a global village and now with social media and networking, we get an opportunity to connect with people, learn from others, and do what is in the best interest of the community. We must take this advantage to work towards the betterment of humanity.

Himani Negi: So before ending the interview, any final message for society or medical students or anyone that you want to give?

Dr. Vishwaraj Mhalshekar: All I wish to say is that you need to follow your dreams. And it's not easy to follow your dreams, it does take your sleep away, but then you need to be determined. You should have faith in yourself and keep yourself moving towards the final goal. That's very important. So never give up, no matter how many hurdles turn up your way. You have to keep your focus. The harder you work, the luckier you get. Sincere consistent efforts are very important and you need to give your best in your current circumstances!

MedBound Times expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Vishwaraj for sharing his valuable insights on our platform.