Have the core characteristics, expectations and skills of a doctor changed? What do you think?
Dr Anthony V Pais, Co founder and Clinical Director, and Breast cancer Surgeon, Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bangalore
To be a good Doctor you should have the combination of passion and moral interests and knowledge found in no other profession. Wherever the art of medicine is loved there is also the love of humanity. To be dealing with life
and death issues all the time you can handle almost everything. One can never underestimate the power of observation, reason, human understanding-mission driven spirit and the courage to be good. Medicine is an art which is unfortunately losing its presence among the medical fraternity. However it continues to be the pivotal factor which when combined with a humane touch transforms delivery of treatment in a holistic manner. At the same time there is frustrating impersonal side that poses a significant threat to the future of medicine – the mundane financial angle that drives the practice of medicine has become the rule today. This has to be improved
upon . The profound anxiety of violating the deeply embedded core principle of the profession: “Primum non nocere” or “first do no harm”. The more sleepless nights you spend in training the more nights you get fulfilled and grateful for the honor of becoming a part of your patient’s lives.
Dr. Venkataramana N K, Founder & Chief Neurosurgeon, BRAINS Hospital,Bangalore
Dr Soundari, Head Medical Services, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai
“Doctors are a vital asset to the nation’s well-being. With the advent of modern medical technology coupled with artificial intelligence, the health conditions in India is in progressive state. In today’s scenario, around 40% of ophthalmologists are women. We need to empower all women ophthalmologists in India by providing them opportunities with the latest trends in the field. Moreover, this day can be seen as an encouragement to those doctors for their commitment and dedication towards improving human health on global scale.”
Dr. Aviral Roy, ICU Consultant, Medica Institute of Critical Care, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata
The key to becoming a doctor is to study hard and work even harder on a consistent basis from your childhood days. There is no shortcut to success and you have to be the top of your class in High School, and get through the tough entrance exam, which has an acceptance rate of just 2-4 percent in India. After that, you have to concentrate for five and half years and do rigorous studies, and further, if you want to be a specialist, then do another 3-8 years of additional dedicated and disciplined studies. You also need to be mentally prepared to see your peers or group of childhood friends you grow up with, start working before you become financially stable. This is followed by a lifetime of learning- of constant upgradation of skills to adapt and learn the latest procedures and protocols. And finally Once you become a doctor, you need to be always available to respond to emergencies and counsel the patients’ relatives and loved ones, as and when required.
On the other hand, there is indeed a constant satisfaction and exhilaration that you get, when you realise that you have helped somebody in the most vulnerable moments of their lives; and perhaps prevented /treated them from severe discomfort, pain and perhaps even death. There is no retiring from this profession. Neither is there ever a true vacation for a doctor. You are always on a look-out when somebody asks ‘is there a doctor here’ whether it be an aeroplane, cruise ship or a museum or when you are on the streets of Rome or London or trekking in the Himalayas.
Dr. Harsh Jain, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, “With the changing dynamics of doctor-patient relationship, the fundamental features of what it means to be a good doctor will never change, and that means taking full accountability for the patient. The doctors have to listen to people/patients, and be sympathetic, empathetic, and care about them, at the same time. It is imperative to develop and maintain the necessary skills, so you need to be technically good as a physician and stay that way forever. In the current times, it’s not just being excellent as an individual practitioner, but it’s also conveying to the patient that we are all working together as a team to provide them superior patient care in a transparent manner within a safe environment.”
