By Dr Naveen Rudolf Rodrigues
"It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick" : Luke 5:31
July 1 is celebrated as National Doctors' Day in every state of India in the remembrance of the legendary doctor and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was born on July 1, 1882 Patna, Bihar, and died on the same date in 1962 at age 80. Dr Roy was honoured with the country's chief civilian award, the Bharat Ratna on February 4, 1961 for his enduring work.
The word 'doctor' is derived from Latin word doceo ('to teach, instruct, guide'). A doctor is a medical practitioner who conducts health check-ups and diagnoses any issues related to a person’s mental or physical health. Whereas, 'patient' is derived from Latin word patiens, meaning 'I am suffering'. Suffering means total pain - physical, psychological social and spiritual dimensions.
I would like to draw upon more information to the lay people about doctors on this day. It seems very important in these days of modernisation where people and doctors in general have changed in all dimensions. A doctor’s profession is misunderstood in these modern days. Commercialisation and the Consumer Protection Act have been equally contributing to mistrust and burdened investigations, leading to suffering of all those who deliver care as well as those who receive care.
A physician, medical practitioner, medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a professional who practises 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. The medical profession is considered to be one of the noblest professions. Doctors are essential for any society. In our routine life, we often encounter health issues that are beyond our comprehension. One requires help from a doctor to understand the problem and its cure. The condition may worsen without medical intervention. Doctors are thus considered to be life saviours. It gives a great security to us having medical help nearby. Most people visit general physicians when faced with any medical issue. These doctors examine the patients and prescribe them medicine and also refer them to specialist doctors if they need. Doctors specialize in various fields to provide specialized treatments to the patients. Some of these include cardiologist, gynaecologist, neonatologist, oncologist, radiologist, obstetrician, and paediatrician etc.
Now the question arises in this modern times, where can we find a right doctor. A 'right doctor' is one who lives by the medical oath which he/she has sworn by before entering practice. This is how a person outside the medical world can understand if he is the right doctor. This oath was established by Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine who was born around 460 BC on the island of Kos, Greece. He was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. In medical practice, doctors still refer to the Hippocratic Oath, instituted by Hippocrates. The primary objective of the Oath is 'Primum non nocere', that is, first, do no harm, and 'Service above self'.
Whenever a patient approaches a doctor he analyses whether his doctor is respectful, honest, sincere, responsible, patient’s welfare becomes central to all his activities, follows ethical codes, cares irrespective of religion, caste, personal beliefs or socioeconomic status, understands incurability and attempts to only relieve pain and suffering, and has concern till the end, respects and maintains the privacy of the patient, takes into confidence the family for the best treatment possible, protects patient’s interests, respects life, avoids needless investigations or procedures to benefit himself. He also never expects anything from anyone, he will practice only what he has been trained for, refers when needed, he is also open to obtaining a second opinion if needed and conducts research only through ethical approval.
Trust is the cornerstone for the best outcome of health between doctors and patients. But whenever one is in doubt it is better we Ask so as to receive, Knock the door so as to understand, and Seek the truth so as to be free.
Lastly, let us remember that doctors were created by God as described in Sirach chapter 38 of the holy book which says: "Give doctors the honour they deserve, for the Lord gave them their work to do. Their skill came from the Most High, and kings reward them for it. Their knowledge gives them a position of importance, and people hold them in high regard. The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible person will not hesitate to use them. He gave medical knowledge to human beings, so that we would praise him for the miracles he performs. The druggist mixes these medicines, and the doctor will use them to cure diseases and ease pain. There is no end to the activities of the Lord, who gives health to the people of the world. My child, when you get sick, don't ignore it. Pray to the Lord, and he will make you well. Then call the doctor - for the Lord created him - and keep him at your side; you need him. There are times when you have to depend on his skill. The doctor's prayer is that the Lord will make him able to ease his patients' pain and make them well again."
About the author: Dr Naveen Rudolf Rodrigues is a consultant palliative care physician at AJ Cancer Institute & Ave Maria Hospice, Mangaluru.