Medical Advisor at Bharti Axa | Dr. Anjali Narayan, MPT

This week’s spotlight features Dr. Anjali Narayan (PT) who is a medical advisor at Bharti Axa. Anjali also conducts ergonomic sessions for corporate. So far she has conducted her sessions in companies including, but not limited to Mercedes Benz, Yahoo, Oracle, Biorasi, Ogilvy, Blue jeans. I like getting to know more about the journey of PTs who’s physiotherapy education was enough to get them into the nonclinical role. Although she not completely “nonclinical”. it was fun getting to know her unconventional career path. I hope you get insights you need to set you up on the similar career path.

What is your name, job title and workplace?

Dr. Anjali Narayan, MPTh

Medical Advisor at Bharti Axa
Freelance Physiotherapist & Ergonomist

What is your educational background?

Bachelors of physiotherapy (BPTh)
D. Y. Patil school of physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai.
(2011-2016)

Masters of physiotherapy in Community Health (MPTh)
(Academic excellence award from the Mumbai branch of Indian Association of Physiotherapists)
D. Y. Patil school of physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai
(2016-2018)

Why did you decide to pursue a Masters in Community Health?

Midst my fourth (final) year, I was pretty intrigued by the opportunity to treat varied cases and mingle with some wonderful patients during my community health; formerly known as community based rehabilitation (CBR) postings.
Being a child whose grandparents played a major role with her upbringing made my geriatric (elder care) postings extremely enjoyable.

I additionally had a keen interest in industrial/corporate lifestyle probably because my whole family works in the corporate industry and I found all of it to be pretty fascinating. And that’s how I quite knew what problems the corporate employees usually faced.

To add on to it all for my final year dissertation, I chose the topic of “Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders in ophthalmologists”. I was one of the very first in my batch to pick up a topic based on ergonomics. And midst acing at the subject academically and also whilst working on this dissertation was when I realized where my passion lays. By the end of my internship, I was assured that community health was my calling or may I say, “IKIGAI”

What did you do soon after your Masters?

I ended up doing a ton of freelance work and seeing multiple private patients. As mentioned earlier, I was majorly interested to work in the field of ergonomics but was unsure with how do I go about the same.

So I spent my first few months in planning, organizing and creating a “vision”. It was all about making goals, jotting them down and ticking each box as I progressed through it. Soon, I networked with a few friends and relatives who worked in the corporate sector. Slowly and gradually I started conducting ergonomic sessions for various companies across India.

Tell us more about your corporate ergonomic program.

I conducted ergonomic sessions in many companies across India. Wherein I would go to these companies, explain the importance of ergonomics, exercise, physiotherapy and especially mental health. Along with which I also conducted physiotherapy consultation sessions with the company employees for MNC’s such as Mercedes Benz, Yahoo, Oracle, Biorasi, Ogilvy, Blue jeans and many more. I am extremely elated to announce that lakhs of people have benefited through my program not just nationally but globally covering over 7 countries in a span of 3 years.

Everything felt like a dream come true but alas, happiness was well short-lived.

When the pandemic hit us all globally, all the companies had their employees work remotely. Conducting in person sessions became impossible. People feared going for physiotherapy sessions as well putting a temporary, “lockdown” to my work.
But I took this up as a challenge and never gave up. I planned to have some good social media reach through various portals which gave me an idea to conduct my sessions online.

As a medico, initially, I was not well versed with the technology pertaining to creating content and conducting these sessions but eventually did “excel” in them. This helped me get a bright new “outlook” towards it. (MS office pun intended)

Since I received a positive response, these very companies started making contracts with me. I ended up doing multiple sessions and simultaneously started having many online physiotherapy consultations alongside this.

How did you hear about your current role, Medical advisor at Bharti Axa.

Around the end of October 2020, one of my friends reached out and informed me about this role and suggested that I should apply for it which I eventually did and the rest is history.

What was the interview and on-boarding process like?

I had my phone interview at first where they tried to get to know me and my background. I was explained about the job description.

Since they were interested in going ahead with me, I had two personal interviews over a video call. At the end of the second meeting, I got my job offer.

Explain your job responsibilities in a language physiotherapy new grad would understand.

Until the end of April, I worked in the department in General insurance that handled personal accidents (PA). In personal accidents I looked into and scrutinized through claims in relation to disability; permanent or temporary and accidental deaths.

For example if someone met with an accident and sustained a major fracture, they are advised to take time off for the healing process say, for 6 months. But the insured person ends up taking leave for a whole year. You as a medical personnel know that it shouldn’t take this long for that particular fracture to heal and will pay the amount until when you know his fracture should’ve healed. Secondly, there is PTD (permanent total disability) cases like amputations, hemiplegia caused by a spinal cord injury etc.

Lastly in accidental deaths being a physiotherapist who is well versed with anatomy, physiology etc. I have to get into the crux of the matter and am needed to go through the post mortems, hospital indoor case papers, FIR etc. Check multiple investigation reports that stated if by any chance the person was under the influence of the alcohol and also rule out the other causes of death.

I helped the insurance company save money by denying the fraudulent claims. At the same time, identify genuine claims and help people in need by approving their claims.

I am glad to say, within six months of working at Bharti Axa, I received the, “Achiever’s award” for the FY 2020-21.

What do you do as a Medical advisor at Bharti Axa?

I have been recently moved to the, “Group Health Claims” team. This deals with cashless & reimbursement payment pre, during and post hospitalization to over thousands of hospitals across India to pay or reject claims.

For example, right now I am seeing a lot of claims for mucormycosis. So I scrutinize through these claims and determine if they are confusing it for bacterial or sinus infection by checking the line of treatment provided along with the diagnostic investigations to know if it is a genuine claim or not.

This surely keeps me inclined towards reading my medical books every day and not lose touch .

Did you do any special courses or certifications to be eligible for Medical advisor at Bharti Axa?

No, my physiotherapy education was more than enough for the role I am currently in.

If a physiotherapist wishes to excel a little better in this industry, they can certainly do a MBA in healthcare or hospital management. The best college I can recommend is TISS (Tata institute of social sciences, Mumbai)

They can end up doing similar courses in other colleges as well. You can also definitely check the website : https://www.insuranceinstituteofindia.com/ for multiple courses in insurance.

Editor’s note: Read this spotlight of a physiotherapist who pursued his masters from Tata institute.

What is the typical day of work for you as a Medical advisor at Bharti Axa?

I commence my work by 9:30am sharp with a team meeting where we decide on how the day goes, what we will be working upon. The day ends little later than 6:30pm. I try not to extend beyond 7:30pm. Post that, I have to pay heed to my private patients and every once or twice a month have my online ergonomic sessions with the MNC’s.

Note that many corporations will allow you to do clinical work as long as it is freelance. Most of them won’t allow you to be hired at some other clinic. We need to respect their corporate policies.

What are the skills you learnt in Physiotherapy College that you are still using?

You do require a basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medicine, pharmacology and even physiotherapy for that matter to scrutinize through insurance claims.

And since I am still treating patients; patient education, communication skills & hands on treatment methods are some of skills that I’d take to my grave.

How is the pay like, compared to the clinical roles?

It is much better than the average clinical physiotherapy role. I can surely say that I am financially independent.

What do you like about being a Medical advisor at Bharti Axa?

I actually wake up in the morning wanting to do my job. There are people who are suffering through multiple issues and ailments and I get to help them. I approve their claims at the earliest so that the customers get their rightful insurance money on time. Additionally I am also glad to continue and see patients post my work.

What are the challenges you face?

I think I end up sacrificing a lot of my social life. With my schedule being super tight with work and private patients, I have to prioritize between work, social life and my sleep.

Additionally there will be competition everywhere when it comes to freelance work which could be challenging at times.

What are the courses, workshops and books that helped you shape your career?

Courses: First of all, remember that a degree is a degree. Do not ever substitute a master’s degree with some small courses by unauthorized people.

If you want to get into ergonomics check out courses available in USA and UK for Masters and PhD in ergonomics. Certified online OSHA/NIOSH courses might also be of great help.

Workshops: Some workshops that I did for K- taping, NDS by Michael Shacklock were supremely helpful. Would suggest to “master” your manual mobilization with the help of your college professors than doing any of those expensive certified courses.
Make sure you are doing these courses and workshops from credible resources which are internationally certified and help gain credit points

Pro tip for some cost free training: When I was in college, I approached my seniors or professors who were well versed in manual therapy and learnt it joint wise slowly and took down all the notes after college hours.

Books:

1. The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovell

2. The secret of leadership by Prakash Iyer

3. Wings of fire by Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

4. 7 habits of highly effective people – Stephan Covey

5. Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer

6. Ikigai by Francesc and Hector

Physiotherapy wise always stick to your basics. Do not under estimate these three holy guides; Principles of exercise therapy by Dena Gardner, Physical rehabilitation by O Sullivan and Joint structure and function by Cynthia Norkins.

Apart from the courses, I read the latest research articles to unlearn and relearn. I spend 20 minutes each day to look into at least 4-5 of the latest research articles.

What is next for you?

To grow better in the insurance industry, build my network and to keep learning. I most definitely am looking to do some additional courses in biomechanics & ergonomics.

What is your advice for physiotherapy new graduates?

The “Start” is what you mainly need to work upon. HOW, WHAT and WHEN and WHERE are the questions one need to address at the beginning. There is going to be a lot of hard work and especially a lot of failures.

Most important thing I learnt from one of these brilliant seminars was that you need to, “fail fast.” What does failing fast actually mean? It doesn’t matter if you fail, what matters is how quickly you work upon it and try to fix that until you haven’t succeeded.
The best example is of Mr. James Dyson who had failed more than 5000 times before he could produce the world famous, “Dyson bagless vacuum cleaner” to the world.

I too failed. Innumerable number of times. Found myself questioning my methods when I’d lose a deal. But I grew through them all and never gave up.

Lastly I’d quote the late Steve Jobs and would suggest to, “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

Where can people find you?

They can reach me out on LinkedIn.