VICDOC Autumn 2023 - Magazine - Page 18
PERSONAL
—
I REALISED I WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR
DURING MY CHILDHOOD IN BOSNIA,
WHEN I WAS EXPOSED TO TRAUMA SURGERY.
We would hear the missiles and find
cover in the bunkers. When the missile
strikes were over, we'd resurface to find,
once again, the devastation and bloodshed
around us. I would see the doctors come
and work on people in the streets, and
I saw how much of a difference they
made in such a terrible environment.
WHEN I CAME FROM AUSTRALIA, FROM BOSNIA,
I COULDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.
Within six years I was able to pick up
the language, go through my VCE and
then enter medicine. And I often look
back and reflect on how much drive and
determination and hard work can achieve.
It’s something I often look back on to give
me the resilience that I need going forward.
OUTLOOK
—
I THINK AS DOCTORS WE GET TO THE POINT
WHERE WE NEGLECT OURSELVES BECAUSE
WE HAVE PUT EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE
ELSE AHEAD OF OURSELVES.
In my campaigning for refugee rights in
Australia, I invested so much time and
effort into that, that sometimes I neglected
my own wellbeing. But now I'm aware that
I can’t give 100% unless I'm fully functional
and rested. Now I can take breaks and
holidays and recharge, and I think it’s
incredibly important that we as doctors
take advantage of that for ourselves.
UNLESS WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT
ACCOMMODATES PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
AND THEIR NEEDS, WE WILL CONTINUE
TO DISADVANTAGE OUR PATIENTS.
I recently finished my surgical training,
and I had a period of two months’ leave,
and I wanted to work during that time. I
applied for local positions but said I could
only work from 8 to 5 because of childcare
drop offs and pickups. I wasn't given the
opportunities because the hours were
7 to 7, but the jobs remained unfilled for
weeks – at a time when we had such a large
staff shortage! More flexibility for doctors
and medical professionals is ultimately in
the best interests of our patients. We need
more women in powerful positions who
can refocus and shift away from medicine’s
patriarchal culture.
COMING TO AUSTRALIA FROM A REFUGEE
BACKGROUND, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN DETERMINED
TO LEAD THE WAY FOR OTHERS TO PURSUE
THEIR OWN GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS.
That pushes me to make something of my
life and now as a parent, I want to show
my daughter that she can achieve anything
she sets her mind to. I feel that to show her
this, I really must walk that path myself.
Of course, like everyone I have my ups and
downs, but it's this dream to open doors
for others that never really dies.
➔
18
AMA VI C TO RIA