BY JAMIU BUSARI (@JOBUSAR)
Dr. Jibril O. Bello MBBS, MSc (Med Ed.), FWACS (Urol)
Consultant Urological Surgeon, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; Formerly Associate Professor in Surgery, Fiji National University, Fiji Islands and University of the Gambia, Gambia. Member steering committee, BMJ Leader Africa Special Interest Group. Tel: +2348023760575; Email:jabarng@gmail.com; Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jibril-bello
Dr Jibril Bello grew up in a university town, Zaria, in the Northen part of Nigeria. He is a urological surgeon at the university of Ilorin, Nigeria with interests in Uro-oncology and endourology. Dr Bello obtained his MBBS degree in 2003 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and proceeded to complete his urology residency training at different institutions in the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria, including Societe Internationale d’ urologie fellowship sponsored training at the Urology and Nephrology Center in Mansoura, Egypt and the Medanta Hospital Urology department in Gurgaon, India.
Dr Bello developed an early appreciation for the importance and impact of education. After completing his residency, he went on to work and teach in many educational and health institutions in the global south, including countries like Nigeria, Gambia, and Fiji in the South Pacific. What he experienced in these countries, offered him a special appreciation for the challenges of medical education, in different settings. He said, “I found the teaching and practice experience in diverse populations enriching. It contributed to my keen interest in Medical Education and later to obtaining a master’s degree in medical education at the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom”.
Dr Bello subsequently taught and supervised the theses of several Master of Medical Education Students from around the world. He has also served on the editorial board of peer-reviewed journals and remains an active reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed clinical and medical education journals.
Finally, Dr Bello was the recipient of the 2012 West African College of Surgeons award for the best candidate in the college’s urology fellowship examinations.
Dividing his time
Considering his responsibilities as a clinician educator, we asked Dr Bello how he distributes his time across the various clinical and teaching activities. He responded saying that 60% of his time goes to Clinical practice. “My clinics are typically full and busy, and my patient load is diverse, typical of clinics in my region. My operative lists are majorly uro-oncological cases with prostate and bladder cancers topping the list”.
With respect to his teaching activities and educational research, Dr Bello devotes 30% of his time to these activities. “I teach undergraduate and postgraduate students in classrooms, wards, clinics, simulation labs, and online teaching environments. I have supervised quite a lot of students’ projects/theses in clinical surgery and Medical Education research, many of which have led to Fellowships and MSc degrees for the students”.
Finally, regarding his administrative work, he mentioned that 10% of his time is dedicated to this. The most satisfying aspect of the time he devotes to administrative work, he said, includes those spent in curriculum development/evaluation and faculty/staff development programs.
We asked Dr Bello how he enjoys the diversity of his academic portfolio, and he responded saying “I feel grateful and privileged that I am in a position to help my patients. I derive immense pleasure from teaching students and conducting research. Of course, combining these roles can be a challenge, but knowing that these activities keep me up to date, enrich my professional life, and, more importantly, positively impact the lives of others makes me forge on.
Challenges in his work
When asked about the challenges he faces due to the diversity in his work, Dr Bello responded saying that the lack of a sufficient workforce is a significant driver for this. There is always the issue of time constraints and competing demands. Juggling a heavy workload of patient care, teaching/learning activities, and administrative work can oftentimes be daunting. I manage the situation by setting priorities and planning the tasks according to their urgency/importance and complexity or degree of difficulty. “A common strategy I use is scheduling long and difficult cases for early in the morning when the brain and body is ‘fresh and sharp’ and acutely up to the task!” He mentioned that his patients are always his first priority at work.
With respect to the issue of maintaining work-life balance, Dr Bello tries to create protected time for family activities. This often occurs during free weekends, leaves of absence, and holidays, and may be simple events like enjoying the scenery outdoors. He admits that finding time for self-care is still work in progress with still significant room for improvement.
Three tips for junior CEs:
- Try as much as you can to avoid being in a situation of antagonism with supervisors and senior colleagues, as “career sabotaging” is a real thing. Strive to avoid conflicts as these individuals could be in a position to hurt your career. To resolve conflicts, the ‘Ben Franklin effect’ may prove valuable.
- Expand your learning beyond the traditional walls of the hospital. Learning opportunities and resources abound online. Explore and take advantage of them. Try to network with supportive colleagues and nurture mentor-mentee relationships – be open and honest, communicate effectively and be respectful and always show gratitude. These opportunities could grow and broaden your skills and provide you a welcomed boost to your career
- Prevent Burnout by Taking control over what you can. Look after yourself and learn to say No to extra work. Nurture friendships, expand your horizon beyond the hospital. Learn to recognize the early signs of burnout and find support.
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