In pursuit of patient care, do we ever think about doctor's well being: Prof. (Dr.) M. Wali

Shahid Akhter, editor, ETHealthworld, spoke to Professor (Dr.) M. Wali, Padma Shri Awardee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, to gain insight into the day-to-day activities of a physician. Our expectations from doctors are numerous, but do we ensure that their work environment should be productive and free from unnecessary obstacles?

Making of a good doctor
Doctors are human beings, not computers or machines. We need to breathe, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. We have families too. However, as a doctor on the giving end, I have to put those needs aside.

This ability to compartmentalize needs to be instilled right from medical school and training. When you enter practice, you need to be consistent in your effort, dedication, and work ethic. Otherwise, you won't be considered a good doctor, and patients won't seek you out. This is the paradox. Of course, doctors as human beings have normal traits. Some doctors might get angry, experience sleep deprivation, anxiety, or deal with other challenges. Additionally, doctors have family needs, financial needs, and the need for relaxation.
Personally, I've been busy since childhood – at home, in school, and in my profession. I also had a unique experience working in the President's house for twelve years, serving three presidents and one prime minister. This meant my life revolved around their needs and schedules, not my own. As you can see, being a doctor requires sacrifice and compromise. You must adapt your mind, body, temperament, and even your pleasure-seeking to prioritize the needs of others. If you're not a pleasing personality, patients won't consider you a good doctor. This is what we, as doctors, need to practice – to remain content with what we have. We face a significant challenge balancing our own needs, our families, and even our staff.

There's an old saying: "Doctor, heal thyself." People don't want a doctor who is angry or looks shabby. They expect a doctor to be well-dressed, well-kept, and to have a clean and professional environment. These are just some of the expectations patients have for their doctors.

Indian physicians in comparison to those overseas
Doctors are held in high esteem worldwide. They typically have weekends, holidays, and scheduled work hours. However, in India, we sacrifice all three. We have to work hard to meet the needs of the nation and our own practices.

Globally, the doctor suicide rate isn't very high. Doctors are often seen as an elite class. But in India, many doctors, especially those in post-graduate medical education, face family issues. A concerning statistic is the documented 7% suicide rate among post-graduate medical students in India. This rate is similarly high among aspirants for administrative exams like the UPSC who take coaching classes.

This is a serious issue, like the tip of an iceberg. Most of the problem remains hidden. Our entire system is different. Patients can't simply walk into a doctor's office. Appointments can be made far in advance, and patients respect established procedures. Doctors abroad aren't overburdened. They have limited working hours and are well looked after. Their meals, accommodations, and overall well-being are addressed. This is something we should strive to implement in our country as well. These aren't luxuries; they're basic requirements. Doctors deserve preferences in areas like their children's education, housing, and access to daily necessities. These shouldn't be considered privileges.

In foreign countries, doctors are treated appropriately based on their needs. They're not overloaded with work, their hours are limited, and care is taken to ensure they have minimal commuting hassles. I remember being impressed by the principal's residence situated on top of the Government College building in Bombay. Similarly, at the President's House, all necessary shops were available within the campus for residents. This streamlines daily needs and increases efficiency. Unfortunately, these considerations are often overlooked in India. For instance, one of my medical superintendents commutes 35 kilometers to work. Ideally, there should be on-campus housing for staff, similar to most medical colleges and AIIMS. This proximity fosters efficiency. Commuting can be tiring, lead to delays, and expose doctors to unnecessary risks.

For doctors, the work environment should be efficient and free from unnecessary obstacles. Therefore, I strongly advocate for workplaces situated near residences to minimize commutes. Additionally, communication facilities and support staff can significantly improve a doctor's well-being. Having an assistant handle routine tasks frees a doctor's mind to focus on more critical decisions and patient care.