National Doctors Day, Dr Vivek Lal, director, PGIMER has a simple message: ‘Every single employee and healthcare professional in our institute deserves to be saluted.
Our aim is to continue our good work in patient care.’ He said PGI is similar to Nalanda and Takshashila in terms of medical education, and described its residents and patients as the institute’s ‘biggest assets’.
‘The trust our patients repose in us is our biggest strength,’ professor Lal said. ‘Our aim is to continue our good work in patient care,’ the PGI director said, adding that one of his endeavours is to promote healthy healing by making healthcare professionals conscious of their duties and ethical values. While the profession is a chance to serve humanity, Lal said with new technology and breakthroughs in the field of medical science, the need of the hour is to encourage patient-oriented research, for all valuable research in the field is ‘for the patients, by the patients, and with the patients’.
Dr Suman Singh, director, Health Services lauded the efforts by the doctors to make a difference in the lives of patients in ‘their hour of distress and difficulties.’ ‘I wish that we all can serve the community and make a difference in the health status of the city,’ she added.
Suman said that in a government hospital, the constant effort is to make sure that patients get the best services, especially specialised care at GMSH-16. ‘We want to reduce patient waiting time, offer services in the field of oncology, cardiology, advanced pediatrics, and psychiatry. We are looking forward to our advanced peadiatric centre opening in the next two months, with the best facilities and treatments for patients from across the region,’ the health services director said.
Changing times have transformed doctors’ way of working and approach to medicine, the constant being the focus on patients,’ Dr Digambar Behera, Padma Shri awardee, and former head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGI, said. He said in the 1970s, there was a tremendous respect for doctors and the profession was regarded as one of the best options.
‘My passion was to serve the humanity and my only ambition was to become a doctor. At that time, there was no concept of a private medical college and tuition fee. We only competed for government medical colleges in our state and for PG (MD) at national level at PGI. Currently, it has become more commercialised. Though medical education and training is still super in many colleges and institutions,’ Behera added.
Regarding the perception that the health sector is now a money-making business, the Padma Shri awardee said that not every doctor or every hospital is for making money. ‘But because of advanced technology, the cost is getting higher. New technology and advancements have revolutionised medical care in the country. But in my opinion, it should be subsidised as it is there in many government sectors since medical care is a social responsibility of the government.’ As a message for those who are pursuing career in medicine, Behera said young doctors must be ethical, have empathy, be dedicated to the patient, and maintain the dignity of the profession.
Long working hours and high-stress environments are some of the challenges that doctors face, but the only way is to maintain a work-life balance, said Dr Arun Kochar, additional director, Department of Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Mohali. He said being busy is part of the schedule of being a cardiologist.
‘An exercise regimen not only helps physically, but is a getaway from daily medical routine. The most powerful feeling is being appreciated by the patient and his relatives for making an effort to heal the patient. I do believe that apart from the effort and the modern medicine, the positive communication between patient and doctor plays a very important role in being successful,’ Kochar said.
Dr Shweta Tahlan, consultant, Gynae Onco-Surgery said that the most fulfilling aspect of the profession is seeing her patients recover from their illness. ‘The fact I am able to make a difference in someone’s fight with a disease like cancer is very satisfying,’ she added.
With chronic diseases on the rise, being more compassionate, more devoted to patient care is the need of the hour, suggested Dr Vikas Sharma, MD and Director, National Skin Hospital, MDC. ‘One of the most rewarding aspects of practising medicine is making a deep impactful difference in someone else’s life. As a doctor, I feel that the ability to significantly improve the quality of life of patients is a tremendously satisfying experience,’ he added.
Timely diagnosis, essential management and adherence to treatment regimens is of paramount importance,’ Sharma concluded.