Dr. Chirani Ratnayake

Clinical attachment at the Plastics and Burns unit at the RVI, NUTH. Attending daily Hand and Trauma handover, learning how to update the handover list, use the Trust's IT system and presenting handover to the on-call Consultant. Observing and assessing patients in the Trauma clinic, assisting minor and major injuries done in the clinic and theatre. Clerking patient histories, assisting in formulating management plans, and familiarizing myself with referral pathways. Observing pediatric and Adult follow-up clinics for Burns patients, Skin cancer patients and post-op Hand patients.

Formerly based at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, one of the largest tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka, which is affiliated with the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Colombo. I was attached to both the male and female medical wards, where I am primarily involved in the assessment and initial management of patients presenting with acute medical conditions.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, I am heavily involved in clinical research and academic work. My duties included recruiting patients for ongoing clinical trials, collecting and analyzing data while adhering to rigorous research methodologies and ethical guidelines. I worked closely with a multidisciplinary research team—trial coordinators, data managers, and research nurses—to ensure smooth project execution, especially in studies supported by the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka. I also take responsibility for obtaining informed consent from patients, following Good Clinical Practice (GCP) protocols.
My research work focused significantly on non-communicable diseases, particularly in cardiovascular medicine. I helped organize and manage specialized clinics for blood sample collection as part of an island-wide study on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). These experiences have strengthened my ability to evaluate and manage pre-operative and post-operative patients, especially those with underlying chronic conditions, thus enhancing my readiness for surgical settings.
I was actively engaged in data cleaning and statistical analysis, utilizing Python and R, and am proficient in the use of AI tools to optimize data interpretation, manuscript drafting, and citation formatting. My academic contributions include abstract writing, article formatting, and manuscript preparation for submission to peer-reviewed journals. I have also presented our research findings at both national and international platforms, including SIMCON 2024 (Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine) and IACMS 2025 (Asian Medical Institute, Kyrgyzstan).
Beyond research, I was involved in teaching final-year medical students, focusing on clinical reasoning, the evaluation of acutely unwell patients, and the formulation of prompt management plans. My duties also involved attending regular clinic days and conducting follow-ups with research participants, ensuring continuity of care and proper documentation.

As part of my role in medical writing with Klarity Health Magazine, I focused on translating uncommon, surgery-related medical information into accessible language for the general public. My work involved weekly article production on diverse surgical -mainly orthopaedic topics, aiming to improve public health literacy while preserving medical accuracy.
I have developed skills in creating structured outlines, optimizing content for search engine visibility (SEO), and utilizing AI tools to enhance clarity, flow, and citation accuracy. I consistently conduct in-depth literature reviews across multiple specialties—particularly within orthopaedics, rare congenital syndromes, and oncology-related surgical interventions—to ensure all articles are factually sound and up-to-date.
My published work includes articles such as:
-Otosclerosis and Pregnancy
-Surgical Interventions for Fryns Syndrome
-Orthopaedic Interventions in Hanhart Syndrome
-Muir-Torre Syndrome and Its Impact on Quality of Life
-Surgical Interventions for Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome
-Orthopaedic Manifestations of Femoral-Facial Syndrome
-Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer
-Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Sports Injuries
Each article requires me to tailor medical content to non-expert audiences, all while maintaining fidelity to scientific evidence. I have also explored varied writing styles to better engage readers and increase reach across platforms.
Additionally, I have been involved in marketing and content promotion through social media and digital advertising, expanding the visibility of health information online.
Through this role, I’ve gained substantial experience in surgical subspecialties, patient-centered communication, digital health education, and the ethical presentation of medical content, while refining my research, writing, and editorial skills.

During my clinical attachment in Trauma and Orthopaedics, I had the opportunity to shadow doctors and advanced nurse practitioners across all grades, gaining valuable insight into how the NHS efficiently manages orthopaedic and trauma patients.
I attended the daily 8 a.m. trauma handover meetings, where I was taught how to input clinical data and assist with making appropriate referrals. Under the supervision of a clinical development fellow, I also participated in the assessment of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). This involved focusing on neurological, musculoskeletal, and vital examinations to rule out serious or limb-threatening injuries.
At the ED, I learned how to triage cases for urgent or elective surgery, helping prioritize the theatre list based on clinical urgency and logistical factors such as resource availability and theatre capacity. I also attended ward rounds, assisting FY doctors with discharge summaries and data entry related to the clinical discussions during these rounds.
I was given the opportunity to observe surgeries in theatre, where I familiarized myself with theatre etiquette, including sterile techniques, surgical handwashing, and observed various operative procedures and suture techniques. I also learned how to gain informed consent from patients, carry out pre-operative assessments, and address patients’ concerns and expectations.
Post-operatively, I attended follow-up clinics with senior doctors, which helped me understand the NHS follow-up and rehabilitation pathways for orthopaedic patients. I was also introduced to the hospital’s IT and documentation systems, and trained to complete a comprehensive SHO-level clinical assessment in patient records.
I had the opportunity to perform joint aspirations under direct supervision, which enhanced my procedural skills and understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in orthopaedics.
This attachment not only developed my clinical knowledge and technical understanding of trauma and orthopaedics, but also provided me with essential exposure to the multidisciplinary nature of NHS care delivery, patient communication, and continuity of care across the surgical journey.

During my clinical observership at NHS Tayside, I was exposed to various systems and practices that underpin the efficient delivery of care within the NHS, particularly in the field of Urology and Acute Surgical Care.
I had the opportunity to attend and present at a Urological Clinical Governance meeting, where I introduced an audit proposal developed with the guidance of my clinical supervisor. This experience deepened my understanding of clinical quality improvement and the importance of continuous audit cycles. I also participated in Mortality and Morbidity meetings, where I learned how the NHS critically evaluates clinical events in detail to improve communication, safety, and systemic efficiency across departments.
On the wards, I worked alongside FY and CT grade doctors, where I was permitted to take patient histories, assist with documenting clinical details, and draft discharge summaries. I also practiced making referrals to relevant specialties, chasing investigations (including blood results and imaging), and gained familiarity with key hospital IT platforms such as HEPMA, Clinical Portal, EKORA, ICE, and PatientTrack.
Clinically, I was given the opportunity to observe the management of urological emergencies, and to assess patients presenting to both the Acute Surgical Receiving Unit and the Emergency Department. I observed a variety of procedures at CEPOD (emergency theatre) and elective operating theatres, and was taught how to maintain and organize a surgical logbook—an essential skill for any aspiring surgeon.
This observership provided me with valuable insight into NHS surgical pathways, the role of governance and audit in clinical practice, and enhanced my ability to function within a multidisciplinary, digitally integrated hospital system.

At the Interventional Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL)—the largest tertiary care center in the country—I was actively involved in an ongoing research publication focusing on the mortality and morbidity outcomes of patients undergoing Primary and Rescue Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI).
This project emphasized strict adherence to ethical standards, including compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. My role encompassed a broad range of clinical research responsibilities, beginning with extensive data collection and entry, and progressing to in-depth data analysis and interpretation to support the publication's findings.
I was responsible for organizing and conducting systematic follow-up evaluations at one month, six months, and one year post-intervention. These longitudinal assessments allowed us to evaluate treatment efficacy, monitor patient outcomes, and maintain a detailed, real-time understanding of patient progress. Each follow-up included clinical evaluation, patient interviews, and accurate data recording to ensure consistency and reliability of the dataset.
I developed proficiency in using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, a vital tool for managing and analyzing large volumes of patient data. I conducted complex statistical analyses and interpreted results that were critical to the study’s objectives and conclusions.
This role not only deepened my understanding of interventional cardiology and outcomes research, but also provided me with hands-on experience in clinical data management, statistical analysis, and long-term patient outcome tracking, all within a highly specialized cardiac unit in a tertiary care setting.

During my clinical internship at Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital, the largest tertiary care facility in the region with over 400 beds, I worked across a range of medical and surgical specialties. My schedule involved 60–80 hours per week, including day, night, and on-call shifts, providing me with significant exposure to varied case presentations and clinical responsibilities.
As a junior doctor, I was often the first point of contact for patients arriving at the hospital. I took detailed histories, performed clinical examinations, and clerked patients into the system. Based on the clinical findings and urgency, I was responsible for admitting patients, making initial management decisions, or referring them to appropriate specialties. Complex cases were escalated to senior colleagues.
I was responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation, including daily progress notes, updates to treatment plans, changes in drug regimens, and records of procedures or interventions such as scans or surgeries. I routinely prescribed and administered medications, including IV fluids, analgesics, and antibiotics, tailoring treatments to the patient's clinical condition and comorbidities.
My work also involved carrying out various practical procedures, including venepuncture, cannulation, ECGs, ABG analysis, and interpreting imaging such as chest X-rays. I attended and actively participated in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, where I contributed to case discussions and holistic treatment planning, ensuring continuity and quality of care.
Due to my interest in surgical specialties, I made every effort to observe and assist in surgical procedures. At the end of my junior year i independently carried out routine minor surgeries such as nail plate removals, nail bed fracture fixation, suturing lacerations, draining abscesses, wound debridement of animal bites, wash outs and splinting. Under supervision, I learned and practiced surgical theatre preparation, basic suturing, knot-tying, and patient positioning. I assisted in pre-operative preparation, post-operative care, and wrote surgical notes, as well as participated in wound management. I was taught theatre etiquette and encouraged to ask questions, which significantly enriched my operative understanding.
In addition, I was responsible for writing comprehensive discharge summaries and issuing discharge letters to the GP, explaining diagnoses, treatment courses, and follow-up plans to patients and their families in an accessible and empathetic manner. I also adhered strictly to ethical and professional standards, respecting patient confidentiality and following GMC Good Medical Practice.
An important and fulfilling aspect of my role was bedside teaching, where I guided medical students and healthcare assistants. Teaching reinforced my own knowledge and strengthened my communication and leadership skills, and I actively sought opportunities for both teaching and learning.
Overall, this role gave me hands-on experience in acute and chronic care, medical documentation, procedural proficiency, and teamwork within a dynamic hospital environment, providing a strong clinical foundation for my continued progression in medicine and surgery.