When I published this article on www.docplexus.in, I received a lot of upvotes, but also a good share of criticism. The admirers were mostly senior doctors like me, who have seen good times in the past; the critics were younger doctors who are struggling to recover their money once they start practice - by hook or by crook. A reading of the 60 comments shows the truth of what I am saying.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
You have to change before you expect the others around you to change. Learn to be more empathetic. Listen to your patients. Spend time on the consultations and restrict the number of patients if you want to really help the patients. Avoid multitasking in the clinic. Freely seek second opinions without bothering if the doctor will take away your case or not share the commission with you. Be attentive to the patient's needs but also the needs of his family, Respect the confidentiality of the patient. Seek his permission before sharing his history, prescriptions, photos and so on on social media, even if your intention was to seek help from your colleagues.
This advice resonated with many. Others felt that in this rat race, time spent on each patient will lead to reduced earnings. And therein lies the trap that most doctors fall into - and I am talking about this new breed of hi-tech doctors who would rather spend time seeing more patients and getting their diagnosis through expensive tests, than doctors who spend time taking proper history and avoiding expensive testing for the patient.
I am including a few comments here to highlight both the sides of the coin:
Pro-post: That's a very nice way to put things in perspective. Very true in today's scenario. Some of money hungry doctors have ruined the whole pond, and some following them like in a rat race. One example I would like to put forward, we doctors blame pharma/device companies for corrupting us, they blame us for corrupting them, I have only one question, as a doctor we need to be ethical and if all doctors stop taking kickbacks, wouldn't our profession come back to glory of older days, well respected and trusted?
Anti-post: Please don't take a "holier than though attitude"it is so irritating and out of sync with today's world. What is wanted is a professional attitude. That's all. That says all. Honesty or caring is all part of a professional attitude. Your views are your own and does not apply universally across the world. So please stop proselytising. If you want to introspect, blah blah blah..please do it yourself with your own life and please let us deal with own lives in our own way.
Surely, there is a deep schism among doctors. Hence, I spent a few lines telling doctors to stay united, but it does not look like this is going to happen soon. And that explains why over 75% of doctors are now at the receiving end of patient-generated violence, leading to loss of life, damage to property and so on.
Readers of this blog, please do add your own experience and comments in the section below.
Thank you.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
You have to change before you expect the others around you to change. Learn to be more empathetic. Listen to your patients. Spend time on the consultations and restrict the number of patients if you want to really help the patients. Avoid multitasking in the clinic. Freely seek second opinions without bothering if the doctor will take away your case or not share the commission with you. Be attentive to the patient's needs but also the needs of his family, Respect the confidentiality of the patient. Seek his permission before sharing his history, prescriptions, photos and so on on social media, even if your intention was to seek help from your colleagues.
This advice resonated with many. Others felt that in this rat race, time spent on each patient will lead to reduced earnings. And therein lies the trap that most doctors fall into - and I am talking about this new breed of hi-tech doctors who would rather spend time seeing more patients and getting their diagnosis through expensive tests, than doctors who spend time taking proper history and avoiding expensive testing for the patient.
I am including a few comments here to highlight both the sides of the coin:
Pro-post: That's a very nice way to put things in perspective. Very true in today's scenario. Some of money hungry doctors have ruined the whole pond, and some following them like in a rat race. One example I would like to put forward, we doctors blame pharma/device companies for corrupting us, they blame us for corrupting them, I have only one question, as a doctor we need to be ethical and if all doctors stop taking kickbacks, wouldn't our profession come back to glory of older days, well respected and trusted?
Anti-post: Please don't take a "holier than though attitude"it is so irritating and out of sync with today's world. What is wanted is a professional attitude. That's all. That says all. Honesty or caring is all part of a professional attitude. Your views are your own and does not apply universally across the world. So please stop proselytising. If you want to introspect, blah blah blah..please do it yourself with your own life and please let us deal with own lives in our own way.
Surely, there is a deep schism among doctors. Hence, I spent a few lines telling doctors to stay united, but it does not look like this is going to happen soon. And that explains why over 75% of doctors are now at the receiving end of patient-generated violence, leading to loss of life, damage to property and so on.
Readers of this blog, please do add your own experience and comments in the section below.
Thank you.
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