After completing a legacy MD(Res) at City St George’s alongside his orthopaedic training, Dr Yogeesh Kamat built a successful career in the UK before relocating to India, where he now runs a specialist lower limb surgery centre and teaches at a local university.
“For any doctor, it’s not just clinical progress or how they deal with patients that's important, but also how you adjust and adapt to changes in your field. Completing a research degree really taught me to be more inquisitive about the changes around me."
The following article was created using notes from an interview between Clinical Pharmacology student Aman Kular and alumnus Dr Yogeesh Kamat.
Alumnus and lower limb orthopaedic surgeon Dr Yogeesh Kamat moved to the UK after completing his first degree in India.
He undertook a legacy post-graduate doctoral research degree (MD-Res) at City St George's in 2010 while completing his orthopaedic training, before working as a Consultant in the NHS. He has since moved back to India, where he has been living for the past six years. We spoke to Yogeesh about life abroad and how his time at City St George’s helped prepare him for his career in India.
Reflecting on his time at City St George’s
Dr Kamat says, “The great thing about UK courses in general is that they are very well structured. City St George's came across as incredibly friendly, and I was always made to feel at home. It was a great environment for adjusting to life as a postgraduate and for developing the skills I needed to succeed.”
Developing transferable skills
“Not only is a place like London great for meeting people from different backgrounds, but my degree allowed me to interact with people from various academic disciplines.
For the first time, I was sitting in a class of 100 people, where I might be just one of two or three doctors. In this respect, City St George's was very good at helping you develop your communication skills. That kind of environment makes you think carefully about whether you're explaining things clearly to someone outside your field.”
“For any doctor, it’s not just clinical progress or how they deal with patients that's important, but also how they adjust and adapt to changes in their field. Completing a research degree really taught me to be more inquisitive about the changes around me.
Publishing research helps develop your skills in any science field. My research helped me develop a passion for my work and inspired me to stay on top of developments in my area.”
In addition to his role as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Kamat is also a university professor. “Teaching helps me advance my knowledge,” he says, “and gives me satisfaction that I’m providing the best for my patients and my speciality.”
Transitioning to work abroad
Dr Kamat’s role as a specialist consultant in lower limb surgery involves treating issues related to the knee and hip joints. Speaking about transitioning from the UK to India, he explains, “Orthopaedics has only been a recognised branch of training in the UK for around 30 years, and even in that time, the advances have been huge. Globally, people practise it differently, and training techniques can really vary. If you're considering working abroad, you need to be aware of this.”
“What I particularly liked about the UK approach to orthopaedics is that it's very patient-oriented rather than technique-oriented. As a hip and knee surgeon, while I deal with joint replacements and sports injuries, I’m just as passionate about preventing operations as I am about performing them.”
“The most rewarding part of my role is treating patients who couldn’t walk before their operation and seeing them walk again. I’ve had patients who were in wheelchairs for over a decade, and today they’re standing up and cooking meals for their families. It’s amazing when people come back and say, ‘You’ve changed my life.’ That gratitude is incredibly fulfilling.”
Taking your skills overseas
Speaking about the challenges and rewards of working overseas, Dr Kamat says, “There’s a huge opportunity for healthcare graduates around the world, especially those who have studied in the UK. A UK degree is very well respected internationally, and it can help you find strong roles abroad. But when you’re thinking of moving, you also need to consider the lifestyle, cultural differences, and any language barriers.”
Reflecting on his decision to return to India, he says, “At the time, I was working as a Consultant in a general orthopaedics role at the Royal London Hospital. I wanted to focus more closely on the specialty I was passionate about. I found an opportunity abroad to open a specialist centre on my own and deliver a service in an area where specialist practice isn’t very common. Now, I’m enjoying the chance to use my knowledge and skills to their fullest.”