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We doctors have the unique distinction of being the people who make their fortune from the misfortunes of others. An elderly lady who was happy with the treatment she got in my hospital gave me this blessing- along with the bill amount, of course- ‘May your hospital be always full with patients!’ I smiled and humbly accepted her blessings, but upon reflecting I realized that while she wished well for me, she inadvertently ill-wished for several others! Another interesting parlance in medical practice is ‘season’. A low season means bad flow of patients that leaves the doctor worried about his practice, and vice-versa, a good season means an out-patient department full of patients, prompting the doctor to plan perhaps for his next car. I remember a particular epidemic of chikungunya a couple of years ago in my part of the country, which saw such boom in the practice of some doctors that they named their new cars as ‘chikungunya car’! So, if everyone, everywhere, starts leading a healthy lifestyle, eat properly, exercise well; and drivers drive so carefully that there are no accidents, would that be good news for the doctors or bad news? If they succeed in eradicating malaria, tuberculosis etc, if somehow humans stopped having appendixes, and if they succeed in ‘switching off’ the cancer gene, what would happen to so many doctors? I shudder to think about my receptionist telling me at the start of the day, ‘No appointments, sir!’ We doctors like to see our waiting rooms brimming with patients. As an orthopedic surgeon, I confess that the sight of a gurney being pulled into my emergency room makes me hope that the fracture is a major one- it is a sadistically pervert thought, but true. Sometimes a normal x-ray report of a patient suspected to be having a hip fracture makes me almost think ‘bad luck’. I sometimes wonder if a doctor’s profession is really a noble one. Or if it has continued to be a noble one. I think a noble doctor would be the one who would treat his patients selflessly; one who would make a living out of his profession, and not a fortune; one who would be as happy as the patient on hearing that the reports are normal. I hoped to become such a doctor, but unfortunately, I too have been sucked into the band-wagon of I’m-going-to-be-stinking-rich kind of doctors.
My musings are my thoughts on various subjects of day-to-day life...
10 comments:
If one were to associate one's "thoughts" to the preofession, then every profession would be an ignoble one...eg. a teacher thinking "if he flunks one more time, i can offer him tuition"... it should be the intention that should count. You intend to deliver that person from his misfortune, you didnt create it for him. when you are honest to yourself, people will come seeking you, and you need not wish others to fall in misfortune.
Very well said, Shiv..I never looked at the issue this way... thanks!
Ishtiyaque ! Blessings by the well treated Old Lady "May your hospital be full with patients" does not necessarily mean more people fall ill. It may mean, all who fall ill, be at your place :-)
You are very right Prakash...
"Medicine is the only profession that labours incessantly to destroy the reason for its own existence.~James Bryce, 1914"
Happy Doctor's Day, Doc :)!!
Wishing you all the success in your career..... at the same time hoping you don't get so busy as to not get time to pursue your blogging... ;). All the best!
Ishtyaque,
Nice write up. I am happy that my consulting room is not full & still I am able to give enough time to my patients. Our profession is changing vary rapidly by all means. It is difficult to keep floating & not sinking into 'wrong doings'. Keep writing. Send me your mobile. It will be a pleasure to talk.
Nishith
Thanks, Nishithbhai, I fully agree with you. my number is 9825305067
Shivinder, thanks a lot for your wishes. And your quote was so wonderful that i posted it on my facebook profile. i hope you don't mind :) Thru my blogs, you know almost everything about me by now. But i don't know anything about you. Where are you located and what do you do? If you are on facebook (who isn't?), we can connect there..:)
Dear Istiyaque i relate to ur post. We all want to earn well.remain busy. Bottom line is never do unindicated surgery and ask urself do unto othes what u would have others do unto u!!
Well said, Dr Jokhi, and thanks for your valuable comment!
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