5 Surprising Realities of Medical Residency (That Have Nothing to Do With Medicine)

Series: Department of Podcast

Episode: 05

Subject: DM Rheumatology

Guest: Dr. Rajat Gupta

Host: Dr. Ankit Sharma

When we picture a medical resident, the stereotypes are immediate and powerful: a sleep-deprived, overworked individual surviving on caffeine and adrenaline, navigating a high-stakes, often toxic hospital environment. It’s a narrative reinforced by television dramas and countless articles on physician burnout. We imagine a relentless grind where the only goal is survival.

But what if that picture is incomplete? A recent conversation with Dr. Rajat Gupta, a super-specialist resident in Rheumatology, paints a far more nuanced and surprising reality. While acknowledging the intense pressures of medical training, his journey reveals a side of residency that challenges our most common assumptions.

The most profound lessons from this demanding path are often counter-intuitive. They aren’t about complex diagnoses or rare diseases, but about conscious choices, human connection, and redefining what it means to succeed in one of the world’s most challenging professions. Here are five surprising truths from his experience.

1. Work-Life Balance Isn't a Myth—It's a Choice.

The idea of a doctor having a "chill life" seems like a contradiction. Yet, Dr. Gupta explains that not all medical specialties are a relentless grind of emergencies. He specifically chose Rheumatology because he had no interest in the "interventional part of medicine" and, after a demanding general medicine residency, wanted a "chill life which has less emergency."

This stands in stark contrast to his experience in his MD Medicine residency, a period he described as having far more emergencies, higher mortality rates, and the brutal reality of surviving on just "three four hours sleep... for whole year." His decision to specialize in Rheumatology was a deliberate choice to prioritize a different kind of life—a powerful reminder that self-awareness and the courage to prioritize personal well-being are crucial when building a sustainable career in a highly demanding field.

2. The Pressure to Superspecialize is More of a 'Rat Race' Than a Necessity.

In many medical circles, there's a prevailing notion that every doctor with an MD in Medicine must pursue a super-specialty (DM) to be considered successful, especially in a large metropolitan city.

Dr. Gupta suggests this has become "more like a rat race," often fueled by external factors like parental pressure. However, he offers a compelling counter-example: a talented and meritorious friend who decided against pursuing a DM. Instead, his friend is "exploring different fields of medicine by doing fellowship from each field." This path highlights that success can be defined on one's own terms. The relentless pursuit of degrees isn't the only route to a fulfilling and impactful medical career.

3. Not All Residency Programs Are Toxic—Some Are Like Family.

The media often portrays medical training as an environment rife with brutal hierarchies and a toxic "superiority-inferiority complex." While Dr. Gupta acknowledges that "in MD we used to face much toxicity," his current experience in Rheumatology offers a hopeful alternative.

He describes his department as small and "more like a family," a place where the typical hierarchical pressures are absent. The culture is built on mutual support rather than intimidation. He shares a powerful insight into this healthier environment:

"Work load is also less and your senior also like helps you like a brother or sister. So that is I think that is the most positive thing."

This point is particularly impactful because it directly challenges the burnout narrative. It proves that a supportive, collaborative, and humane training environment is not just a fantasy, but an achievable reality that can transform the residency experience.

4. We Have a Problem With Glorifying Burnout Culture.

Dr. Gupta makes an insightful observation that extends far beyond the hospital walls: as a culture, we tend to glorify the most hectic workloads. The more overworked someone is, the more we seem to admire their dedication.

He bluntly states that this glorification of a "toxic culture" is "not healthy," neither for the individuals burning themselves out nor for the people they inspire to follow the same unsustainable path. This is a critical reflection on a societal issue where overwork is too often mistaken for commitment or success, leading to widespread burnout across many professions.

5. Your Biggest Lifeline is Your Peers.

The pressure of an MD Medicine residency is immense. How does anyone survive it? Dr. Gupta's answer wasn't about individual grit, but about community.

His primary coping mechanism was relying on his co-residents—the people "who are also suffering the same like you." He also found support from the interns, creating a small community within the immense stress of the hospital. They would have parties and eat meals together, forging bonds that made the pressure bearable. His advice for anyone entering a similar high-pressure environment is direct and powerful: "make friends. Do not be alone. Don't be alone that will kill you." It's a universal lesson on the profound importance of community in overcoming adversity.

A More Human-Centered View of Medicine

Taken together, these takeaways paint a picture of a doctor's journey that is far more complex and human than the stereotypes allow. It is a path that can be shaped by conscious choice, supported by healthy relationships, and defined by personal values, not just professional expectations.

Dr. Gupta's journey proves that a more humane medical culture is possible, not through top-down mandates, but through individual choices, supportive micro-communities, and a rejection of glorified burnout. The challenge, then, is how we can empower more young doctors to make these same courageous choices for themselves and the future of medicine.