Interview with Dr Haghighi
Dr Kayvan Haghighi
Dr Kayvan Haghighi is a Urologist who has been servicing the Southwest of Sydney and the Southern Highlands since 2007.
He was educated in Adelaide, undertook his Urology training in New South Wales and then completed a prestigious Fellowship at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.
Dr Haghighi is the Head of the Department of Urology at Campbelltown Hospital and the Head of the Medical Advisory Council at Cambelltown Private Hospital. He also operates at Liverpool Hospital and Sydney Southwest Private Hospital. Dr Haghighi consults in our offices at Campbelltown, SOMA at Gregory Hills, Bowral and Liverpool.
What do you love most about being a Urologist?
‘Urology allows you to form long term relationships with your patients, in particular our oncological patients. They become like family and friends. Urology also allows you to manage patients non surgically which is very appealing. Finally, it is very technologically orientated speciality, and advances in technology have allowed us to improve quality of life for our patients’
You have a very successful practice both private and public. How did you get to where you are?
The most important thing is to have mentors and see how they manage their work. My mentors have always believed and endeavoured to treat all patients the same. By respecting patients and treating them fairly and honestly, you will have great relationships and outcomes for your patients. During my training in Ireland, I didn’t just learn technical skills but more importantly I saw how patients, whether they were public or private, were treated the same. Also, I remember my patients and know them well, it shows that you care. Finally, it’s very important to be honest with your patients particularly when things go wrong.
Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for junior doctors wanting to pursue a career in Urology?
Urology is a great profession; it is multifaceted and has many subspecialisation options. It is a great career which allows you to maintain work life balance, unlike many other surgical specialities. My advice for junior doctors would be that it doesn’t matter how long it takes for you to get on to training, you will get on when you are ready. Often there are life pressures and an urgency to get on to the program, but the end goal is to provide the best care for your patients. No time during your unaccredited training is wasted. If you treat patients well, work hard and our ethical then you will be successful. I would also advise you to speak to your mentors, ask them to review your CV and get feedback on your performance.
“My advice for junior doctors would be that it doesn’t matter how long it takes for you to get on to training, you will get on when you are ready.”
Do you think much has changed in the landscape of urological training over the last 10 years?
A lot has changed in the direction of training, there is more accessibility to resources and education. Patients are no longer seen as Guinea pigs. There is simulated workshops and cadaveric training that allows junior doctors to be better equipped with skills and knowledge. There is still more work to be done to support junior doctors. There is so much evidence to suggest that the more supported junior doctors are, the less mistakes are made and patients get better outcomes. This is the next battle, but we will get there. Also, in regard to our trainees, we are seeing more diversity and inclusion. The surgical workforce is better representing the population. This is something patients expect and deserve, and I can see that that college is taking the efforts to ensure we are moving in the right direction.
Interview conducted by Dr Anika Jain