By Dr. Shahid Amin Trali
A doctor is a real hero is something we all have felt at some point or the other in our lives. I have myself faced so much sickness and it was hard to believe to stay alive. But the ones I am indebted to is a long list of doctors who have given me better treatments and made me happy in life. Indeed, doctors play a significant role in our lives. Wikipedia defines a medical doctor, medical practitioner, physician, or simply doctor as a professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments. Medical practice significantly requires both a detailed knowledge of the academic disciplines (such as anatomy and physiology) underlying diseases and their treatment—the science of medicine—and also a decent competence in its applied practice—the art or craft of medicine. A doctor is a person with extensive knowledge in the domain of medical science, who applies and dedicates his knowledge and skill to identify the medical problem faced by the patient and then attempts to prevent or cure it.
Since ages the greater role of doctors in a society can’t be underestimated. There are huge contributions these apron-wearing brigades make for any society. Patients trust doctors to make a diagnosis, and be ready to seek out the most appropriate treatment, to be capable of responding to the patient’s needs and to be ready to take responsibility for the patient’s care. A patient’s ability to enjoy life after his illness makes a huge difference. It also produces a warm impact for their families. When any patient resumes his/her service after an illness, it highly benefits his employer as well as society in general. Doctors save lives and help patients minimize pain, recover from a disease faster or learn to live with a disabling injury. There are some diseases that claim an entire population. Communicable diseases and other epidemic conditions are a huge threat to the health of a common people. It’s the services of our great doctors that can curb or control such appalling situation. In many cases, because of a capable doctor’s continuity in his/her post and then the subsequent deep understanding of the needs of the local community, the hospital and the patients, doctor offers the necessary knowledge and continuity required to advance services and the care of patients.
I was in 12th standard and while playing cricket, my right leg was injured. I was bed ridden for months long and my condition became very critical. Some of the doctors gave me wrong clues for my ailment. But there are doctors who have all magic touch to uplift our spirits. In my case, a good doctor with high motivation, good treatments and friendly approach could again bring me to good health despite the veteran doctor belongs to a different specialization. A second bi episode in my life and just few years back when I was diagnosed with jaundice, it became very critical and threatening to my life. But Allah (swt) has a solution for every pain given to His creation. I was blessed to find a great doctor who not only treated me well but shattered many myths about the ailment. A prominent doctor in Jammu and Kashmir with humble nature could easily read the patients ailment and treat them to perfection. The great quality doctors should develop is to bring confidence and listen to their patients keenly rather than looking solely on profit margins.
Oh! Man is turning into a greedy and selfish being. Nowadays administrators as well as doctors lack proper behavior and approach as good and responsible citizens. The recent strike by Jammu and Kashmir doctors of Govt. Medical College gives us clues how things are changing rapidly and social service is given the least preference now. The patients in its six associated hospitals were left at mercy and without any medical care. Our Jammu and Kashmir has a history of mismanaged and volatile job policies. But how can our great doctors can be so irresponsible to stop their duties and make our poor patients suffer? We have seen doctors commanding huge respect in the society but with the modernization and self centric interests taking the fold, the deal matters most for many capable doctors rather than the respect, care and love towards humans. They can go to any extent with huge fee charge as consultation and prescribing any worst medicine just to please the drug makers on receiving the gifts and freebies. Slowly and slowly the profession of doctors is losing its command and worth in the society because of shortcuts and wrong approach on part of many doctors. When patients pay big amounts and purchase costly medicines, they have reasons to expect the full recovery of their ailments. If any negligence is found on part of doctor or there is a death of patient, doctors have to face the wrath.
My good friend and a humble doctor while sharing his rich experiences said that that nobody wishes to join critical care now and many times he has seen doctors beaten to pulp by the attendants. We must equally understand that doctors are humans too and that doctors can only try with best efforts to save a patient. We have to control our emotions. Many times he has seen that the attendants hardly control their sleep during peak night hours but it’s the doctors and the staff who are ready to take care of a patient and offer treatments on time. Do they deserve ill treatments for this great service? Life of a doctor becomes terrific in his field. Neither he is able to sleep properly nor does he give proper time to his family. But he makes our life happy. No doctor may wish to see his/her patient dying and not everyone is a corrupted doctor.
Doctors have bigger responsibilities and must develop many good qualities to serve the society in right ways. Most important doctors must treat their patients helpfully and alertly. Patients always want to feel that they are in safe hands. Doctors must focus on effective communication. Good listening and communicating skills are critical to being a good doctor. Good communication isn’t just for being friendly with patients. It’s also a vital skill for doctors to understand the patients’ concerns and offer right solutions. Doctors should give the patients the time they need and deserve. They should not only be honest, but also offer hope, even when a situation is difficult. They have a duty to prescribe the right medication, tell patients about the advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives regarding a proposed treatment or operation, and provide adequate follow-up to the patient within a reasonable amount of cost and time. Moreover it’s the responsibility of veteran doctors to mentor the less experienced doctors and be ready for best guidance and support. The profession of doctors is noble one and they must promote it through their noble efforts and serve the society better.
(The author is Assistant Professor, ITM University Gwalior. He can be reached at: dr.shahidamin15@gmail.com)
