Finding your niche

Dr Kavan Arora is a Specialty Doctor in Caerphilly CRT, which is part of the Gwent Frailty Unit in Wales. He did his MBBS at KJ Somaiya Medical College in Mumbai and holds an MD in General Internal Medicine from the University of Buckingham, along with postgraduate diplomas in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine (University of South Wales) and a postgraduate diploma in Care of the Elderly (University of Wales Trinity St David’s).

He is currently completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education to enhance his ability to teach and engage with medical learners. As part of the #ChooseGeriatrics campaign, Dr Kavan Arora tells the BGS why he chose a career working with older people.

Since arriving in the UK in 2014, I have developed a deeply fulfilling career as a specialty doctor in intermediate care and frailty. After completing my core training in Wales, I transitioned into my current specialty doctor role, where I strive to deliver excellent patient care.

Alongside my daily work in frailty, I contribute to stroke care by working the stroke on-call thrombolysis rota on weekends, driven by my passion for delivering holistic emergency stroke treatment.

In my daily practice, I am committed to a multidisciplinary approach. I attend regular MDT (multidisciplinary team) meetings to ensure a comprehensive and thorough assessment for all our patients. This collaborative approach is central to the quality of care we provide, as it ensures that each patient’s needs are addressed from all relevant medical perspectives. I also run a community falls clinic alongside my consultant colleague and physiotherapists providing specialist input.

I recently had the opportunity to showcase the great work our team does at the BGS Wales meeting in the form of a poster presentation titled ‘home administration of IV zoledronic acid via CRT in Caerphilly Wales’, showcasing a pragmatic solution to something which has traditionally been given in a hospital setting.

Beyond patient care, I am very passionate about growth and development as a professional, both for myself, as well as my colleagues which I try to deliver by being deeply involved in various committees and professional groups.

I serve as the SAS representative on our Health Board’s Local Negotiating Committee (LNC), and I am also an active member of both the BMA Welsh Local Negotiating Committee (WLNC) and the Welsh SAS Committee (WSASC), where I also represent WSASC on the Welsh Resident Doctor Committee (WRDC).

These roles allow me to contribute to the wider medical community and influence policy and practice within the NHS. I believe a large part of our success as professionals comes from teaching and mentoring the next generation of doctors, a belief strengthened by my own experience of the impact my previous teachers and mentors have had on me.

I therefore take part in regular teaching sessions for resident doctors. Additionally, I serve as an appraiser for revalidation within our Health Board (ABUHB), which plays a key role in supporting the ongoing professional development of my colleagues.

I am slowly working to develop my competencies in geriatric medicine and stroke medicine so that I can submit my portfolio pathway application one day. I truly love my work and my life in Wales, and I look forward to continuing my journey in healthcare, making a difference to both patients and colleagues alike.

I strongly recommend a career working with older people to everyone who gets satisfaction from being a part of their patients’ journey from start to finish.

Older adults have unique challenges, including polypharmacy, frailty, dementia, and social isolation. Managing these effectively requires creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills, making it intellectually stimulating. Geriatrics is a specialty where you can make a profound difference in patients’ lives by combining clinical expertise, compassion, and a holistic approach to care.

Outside of work, I play in the Gwent Badminton League for Newport Badminton Club and have recently taken up padel as well. I also enjoy keeping myself busy on weekends by volunteering with St John’s Ambulance to provide medical support for community events.