July 1, 2010
Doctors play a vital role in our lives. July 1, in India is the day dedicated to their service and commitment. It holds special significance for medical practitioners in the country. From dentist to neuro surgeons, homeopaths to heart specialists, physicians to paediatricians, ‘Doctor’s Day’ is the time to pay tribute to the entire medical profession.
The day has been chosen as a mark of respect to the contribution made by Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (B C Roy), who left an indelible mark in the history of medical profession in India. This observance fulfills a need to show the doctors and physicians in our lives how important they are to us and how invaluable their treatments are that cure us.
Undoubtedly there has been enormous progress in the medical field over the years. With changing times, the attitude of doctors has also undergone a lot of changes some of which have even led to strained doctor-patient relationship.
Lets hear it from the man who had years of experience in the field. Being a leading general physician in Mangalore and having being treated countless number of patients he has seen it all.
Here’s Dr Hansraj Alva giving us insight about the pros and cons of the medical profession.
Dr Hansraj Alva has completed his medical education from KMC, Mangalore and Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore. He has worked as associate professor in KMC. Currently, he is the medical director of Vinaya Nursing Home and associate professor at A J Institute of Medical Sciences. He is a dedicated man with a strong love for his profession.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Where do you think the profession of medicine stands today?
A: There was a time when the Vaidya (doctor) was looked upon as ‘God’. But today Vaidya is compared to ‘Yama’. Most of the patients have this kind of notion these days. The medical profession is not considered all that noble as it was before.
Q: Why is it so? What are the reasons that have led to the formation of these kinds of notions?
A: In a way doctors themselves are responsible for it. The entire profession itself has commercialized. It’s all become money-oriented. The doctors try to pool in as much money as possible. But this does not mean all doctors are this way. There are very honest and committed ones too.
Q: So do you think the doctors are to be entirely blamed for commercializing the profession and taking away its nobility?
A: No, it’s not right to blame the doctors on the whole. The expense of medical education has also skyrocketed these days. Year by year, the students will have to pay huge amount of money to pursue medicine. Many might have completed their studies with the help of bank loans. So when they become doctors they’ll obviously try to get back or earn that money through their profession. In the process chances are more that they tend to forget their ethical values.
Q: How do you compare the standard of medical education now and during your learning days?
A: During our college days there were some real good senior doctors like A V Shetty, K R Shetty as role-models whom we could emulate. Unfortunately students these days lack such role-models.
Unlike in our days now there are nearly 205 students in a batch. Mangalore city alone has 5 medical colleges. Two of the medical colleges – Yenepoya and K S Hegde are separated by just one compound wall which I think is first of its kind in the world. But the problem is with the dedicated staff.
Q: Does that mean today’s medical education lacks good teachers?
A: I ‘am not saying there are no good teachers but today there is a lack of full time teachers. Mostly doctors go for teaching during their spare time. It could be because of the payment that the teachers receive or the tag attached to doctors. Even if you take my own example don’t find the required time for teaching. Most of my time is spent in treating the patients.
Q: What do you prefer the most? Teaching or being a fulltime Doctor?
A: My heart goes out to teaching. I’ am a born teacher. I always enjoyed teaching. A day will come when I will be dedicating my fulltime to teaching. It is one of my passions, my dream.
Q: What are your suggestions to improve the system of medical education at present? What kind of changes can be brought about?
A: Mainly an idealistic situation needs to be created. A subject which teaches the medical ethics should be compulsorily included in the syllabus. The medical institutions should have full-time staffs and they should be paid well. An institution can have quality teachers provided they are satisfied with their payment. They should be given job security. The quality of students should also be good.
The colleges should have enough space to accommodate PG students. There should be more of merit seats. That’s how quality doctors can be brought up.
Q: What are the crises that the general physicians face these days?
There are a lot of grey areas for the doctors these days. One among them is the use of alternative medicines. I’m not against ayurvedic medicines. It has its own benefits but certain type of disorders needs immediate treatment. Delay in the treatment can prove fatal. Hence there is a need to create lot of awareness among patients.
Q: What is your message to the budding doctors?
A: Treat your patient as God, hospital as temple. Be committed and enjoy your profession.
Q: What is your message to the public?
A: Choose your doctor. Have faith in them because ‘Doctor shopping is injurious to health’.
Dr Hansraj Alva can be contacted at - +91 93435 62622
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