APSR Short-Term Research/Training Scholarship

I am very pleased to announce the completion of my short-term research training/Fellowship in Interventional Bronchoscopy and Medical Thoracoscopy under the aegis of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology. I am very grateful to the APSR for offering me such an academic feast which will always nurture my skills in pulmonary medicine, especially in the interventional field.

I had an opportunity to work with eminent Interventional Pulmonologist Dr Jamsak Tscheikuna. He has a vast range of interventional skills as well as clinical acumen of pulmonary medicine.

(Click photo to enlarge)
Dr Chand (left) and Dr Tscheikuna (right)

In my host institute, I was involved in various bronchoscopic and pleuroscopy procedures. Here a large number of procedures are being done, such as EBUSRadial probe biopsy, EBUSTBNA,rigid bronchoscopy and rigid pleuroscopy. I had an excellent opportunity to learn the innumerable cases of EBUSRadial probe biopsies under fluoroscopy guidance. There are an average of 15 rigid bronchoscopies in a month and interventions include electrocoutery, laser (Nd:YAG), argonplasma laser, tumor debulking, balloon dilatation and stent placement (silicone or SEMS). I observed that endobronchial TB is common in Thailand and it warrants frequent endobronchial intervention by rigid scope. I learned how to start or perform rigid bronchoscopy in intubated or tracheostomized patients, which was a novel method for me. Here, I also had an opportunity to write a paper with Dr Jamsak, on endobronchial TB. I found a good and caring auxiliary staff here and observed a high happiness and satisfaction level in all staff members. I have had other opportunities to explore my academic in the form of multiple CMEs, case conferences and theory lecturers here.

Thailand is a country with generous people and blended with natural beauty. There are lots of destinations in the country where we can see the true blessings of nature. I am very thankful to Dr Jamsak and his associate Dr Supparerk, who always assisted me to learn the skills of interventional procedures, and I admire their kindness and conciliating attitude towards me. I appreciate the support and encouragement of my home supervisor, seniors and colleagues; Dr A Bansal, Dr P Lohiya, Dr A Ansari and Dr Priyadarshi J Kumar.

Finally, I admire the initiative by the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology for their research training or scholarship in the field of pulmonary medicine, which is continuously encouraging and boosting up the young or early career stage pulmonologist.

20 November 2015
Dr Trilok Chand,
Consultant
Department of Respiratory, Critical care and Sleep Medicine
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
New Delhi, India