Jyoti Deonarine A passion for service and an interest in breast health

“I’ve always loved photography,” Jyoti explained, telling WMN that it was her father’s chosen passion.

“It was in my blood.” Influenced by her father’s work, Jyoti developed her own interest in picture-taking, albeit a very specialised one.

The young radiographer explained that what she practices is, in fact, photography. “When you take a picture of someone you can see... their smile, you can capture the environment [but radiography is] imaging to see inside of people, which makes it even more interesting.” Armed with an interest in radiology, Jyoti found herself among very first cohort to graduate with the Bachelor’s degree in Radiology at COSTAATT in 2011, immediately after which she entered the workforce, enrolling in a two-year graduate trainee course at Petrotrin where she became exposed to ultrasound technology, mobile radiology, operating theatres and the field that would become her specialisation, mammography.

While in the course, one of her seniors, whom she credits as having “mentored and coached” her, encouraged her to pursue a specialised study in mammography. Encouraged by her mentor as well as her father, Jyoti completed her mammography course at branches of the Medical Technology Management Institute (MTMI) in New Jersey and Michigan soon afterward.

Breaking down the appeal in what she does, Jyoti explained that, “We [radiographers] are the eyes for doctors in order for [them] to make diagnoses to help patients determine what’s wrong with them.” She explained that while doctors are the ones who make the diagnoses and are sometimes charged with the task of sharing some not-so-nice news, in her position, she cherishes the ability to connect with the patients.

“Meeting people, hearing different stories and sharing with them,” Jyoti listed among the highlights of her job.

“Mammography is used to help women save their lives by telling them that they’re breast cancer free or detecting it early,” she explained. Jyoti describes the last two years as ful_ lling and enriching; “Each patient you meet is a different experience. You’re doing mammograms every day but each patient is what makes it different.” The 28-year-old radiographer related how she forms these bonds with the patients; “There are persons who will touch you in a very special place, there are some that will have long-lasting impressions on you and there are those who will motivate you as they will see you as a young person working in the field.” She emphasised the importance of providing personalised service, care and attention, features that she makes an effort to offer in her everyday practice and, as a result, for which she is complimented. Jyoti told WMN that hearing comments such as “your bedside manner is great” and “keep smiling” renew her on-the-job enthusiasm.

Of the more than 3,000 patients that she’s seen over the last two years, Jyoti said many of them had developed a fear of mammograms. The comforting luxury in the services offered at Pink Hibiscus is the fact that the old concept of the popularly painful mammogram has been overhauled in favour of the digital imaging technology which causes significantly less discomfort.

She explained that the physical pain as a result of the heavy compression in the traditional mammograms has the common effect of “turning women away” from venturing to have their breasts examined, which can, of course allow complications to develop undiagnosed. But with the greater emphasis on the digital procedure offered at the clinic, much of this pain is minimised.

“We are the only centre in the English-speaking Caribbean to have this technology,” Jyoti told WMN, explaining that persons from Latin America also travel to Trinidad to receive treatment at the centre.

“Digital imaging [ensures] early detection,” she said, explaining that the advanced technology, apart from creating a more comfortable experience for those undergoing the procedure, can detect a pea-sized cancer at stages 0 to 1.

“It is an x-ray but one with a low radiation dosage, which produces clearer images, the outcome of which is a better prognosis... with [a broader range of] treatment options,” Jyoti informed.

“One of the best things is that I know that I can reduce a woman’s fear of having a mammogram done just by being gentle, patient, kind and empathetic with them.” Jyoti continued, “By being knowledgeable about what I do, I can then impart [that knowledge of] the advancements in the technology to them. I explain to them what we’re going to do [in layman’s terms], avoiding terminology, making them comfortable and welcoming them.”

It is important to Jyoti that the patients are comfortable and that their fears are assuaged. Especially dealing with women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you see them often and you [have to] give them that smile, that touch to let them know that they aren’t alone.”

So, what’s next for the ambitious and nurturing radiographer? Well, this year, she completed the certification course in breast ultrasound and plans to work at attaining the clinical certification in the field very soon, allowing her to a qualification for another imaging modality to her profile.

“Many of my relatives jokingly tell me that since I’m so involved in the medical profession that I should turn the ‘RR’ (registered radiographer) into ‘D-R’ by completing full medical studies.”

At the age of 28, the possibilities are endless. Jyoti moves forward with an appreciation for what she does, but not without some new goals in mind. “I’m looking at conquering other imaging modalities,” Jyoti explained.

“A simple thing as doing just a mammogram only touches many lives; it is a very dedicated skill, one that is difficult to learn and in order to manage both the image-taking part of it as well as patients and the quality of service given to them, it takes a lot. I’m pretty young in the field, but the lives that I’ve touched and the positive impact that I’ve had has been tremendous.”