Save your doctor to save humanity

India celebrates National Doctors' Day on July 1 every year. It is a fitting tribute to doctors, who play a significant role in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. Doctors save lives, but their importance goes far beyond that. They also make a difference by alleviating pain from the diseased, and helping patients live good lives with life-altering disabilities and disorders. A patient's quality of life is of huge import to their families and their self. However, the doctors’ consistent and relentless hard work has sometimes been rewarded with patient violence. The frequency of violence has increased dramatically; news to truly despair at.

Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy (Chief Surgeon at and Founder of MaxiVision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals) shared his views on patient violence. “Doctors have a duty to the society as a whole to put in their best efforts to save the life of the patients, but sometimes they face violent reactions from the relatives, which hurt the feelings of the doctors a lot. As per Indian Medical Association survey, 4 in 5 five doctors are in stress with fear of violence at workplace and being sued or face criminal prosecution if something is not in favour of the patient, however difficult the case may be.” Further, he spoke about how the toxic work environment forces doctors in the country to look for more lucrative offers abroad, reducing the already dwindling population of doctors to cater to the medical needs of our population.

Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (Professor and Head of the Department of Nephrology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Science) said, “Doctors don’t work for the sake of money, if he happens to choose any other profession he would have earned more than this amount of money. But the amount of satisfaction this profession gives, no other profession can give.” He also asked that patients try and empathise with their doctor to truly understand their position and commitment.

Violence is shameful and inhumane, even if done during moments of vulnerability or in emotionally-charged situations. Yet, the ability of a doctor to look past these incidents and continue their work is something to be grateful for and appreciate.