“No sleep no rest! Gotta learn with the best!
The duty is long and the chiefs is stern!
You have to be everyone and then some!
Just a few memories of the year of the intern!”
Today’s blog is of course on Doctor’s day! This is an extension of a series of questions asked in one of a special doctor’s group!
read on!
What made you become a doctor?
I was inspired by my distant uncle who was the only doctor in his village! When he spoke everyone regardless of age, simply listened! I wanted to earn that kind of respect! Of course my parents and especially my Mother wanted to see me as a doctor! I would have done anything at that time to make my parents proud and like typical south Indian parents, they usually do not show their pride openly but I knew!
Why did you select ENT?
Among all the specialities and subjects ENT, Ped and Surgery were my only taste! But among these three subjects, ENT was the only one in which I got the highest marks in the class! So I thought that I would be the best in this! Also this is an end speciality at that time! Now of course with the amount of specialisation this is a huge field! You have a myriad of patients and you can do surgical or medical practice! You see kids and see old people! In fact more than fifty percent of Patients who come to the OP can actually be seen by the ENT specialist!
What principles or Oath do you follow?
My basic principles is that all patients are equal and no one is special! In the same line everyone must remember that doctors are MERE MORTALS!
They may ease your pain and make you feel better but still they are all humans! So if you reduce your expectations all will be good!
Investigations are only additional tools!
MOST IMPORTANTLY only if a patient is happy can the doctor ever be happy. A failure affects two person the most; the patient and the doctor! But in the end I have understood that you cannot make everyone happy! You have take a hundred oath but finally at the end of the day all you have to do is look at the man or woman in the mirror and not feel guilty with your actions and your work is done!
Are you happy with your decision?
I am extremely happy with my decision! Though there have been challenges, it would not have changed my decision! In spite of being the topper in Mathematics and Physics in my whole school I did not write a single engineering examination because I was focussed only to become a doctor! Though there are many things in this field I want to do but then all in good time!
What are the challenges faced?
All said and done the drive of making money is a big strain on doctors especially during the early years when he or she is trying to catch up with his peers from other profession! Unless he or she stops the comparison he or she will never be happy! Lack of support from state, peer pressure and inadequate compensation is a big lacunae!
What is your thought about the future?
The future is always bright! Progress and development is unstoppable! But all said and done, at least for some time to come, in spite of the AI revolution, the Human doctor is for now an irreplaceable profession!
What are your regrets/ complains?
Regrets will be many like the fact that your time is limited and that there is a level of expectations which you have to keep! But overall the regrets are small when you see the satisfaction on a patient’s face when your treatment has worked!
What is your aim as a doctor and a human?
My aim is to have a balanced life between family and hospital! You cannot work all the time and you should take care of your own health also! A doctor doing continuous shift and being tired is actually a big risk to everyone! Only a mentally and physically rested doctor can give a good result! DO NOT encourage such doctors! Remember that life and hospital will go one without you! NO one is special! There are a hundred people ready to fill in your shoes and do your job! So work well and take rest also!
My advice to juniors! “If you love your job then it is no longer a job! It then becomes a happy part of your life!”
I have loved being a doctor and more importantly made many people happy!
A humble sketch of the legend in whose honour we celebrate the Indian doctor’s day; Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
Have a good night folks!
Shubh Ratri!
ramadocblog 