On National Doctor’s Day, doctors share their experiences, challenges, and what they wish people knew about them

National Doctor’s Day 2024: Doctors dedicate their lives to helping others, providing a safe place for people to bring their worries, fears, and health issues. Many people believe that doctors can fix everything, but what is it like to be on the other side? HT Lifestyle spoke with doctors from various fields to learn about their journeys, achievements, cherished moments, fears, successes, and heartbreaking failures. On this special day, we explore healthcare from the doctors’ perspective.

The Rewards of Being a Doctor

Being a doctor is a selfless profession, focused on making patients better. Dr. Manan Vora, an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Expert, expressed his pride in his work: “Being a doctor is incredibly fulfilling. Not many jobs offer the satisfaction of healing someone and relieving their pain. It’s deeply rewarding to make a direct impact on someone’s life and see the positive changes you’ve brought about. At the end of each day, it’s hard not to smile knowing you’ve made a real difference.”

Challenges and Misunderstandings

Dr. Oishika Chakraborty, an OBGYN, highlighted the recent increase in violence against doctors and the mental strain of the profession. Dr. Manan Vora added, “One important thing I wish people understood about us as doctors is that, despite our extensive training and expertise, we are ultimately human.” Dr. Pankaj Sugaonkar, an Interventional Pediatric Cardiologist, shared, “Providing care for terminally ill patients, delivering unfavorable diagnoses, and supporting grieving families are profoundly heart-wrenching experiences. This constant exposure to human suffering necessitates an emotional fortitude that can be both daunting and draining.”

The Emotional Toll on Pediatricians

For pediatricians, dealing with the emotional turmoil of parents with sick children can be very distressing. Dr. Imran Patel, Director of Asian Children Hospital in Ahmedabad, shared, “There are certain cases, like cancer, rare diseases, and untreatable conditions, that force us to deliver heartbreaking news to parents, telling them that there are no cures. It’s profoundly painful to watch children suffer, to see a once playful child succumb to illness, and to witness the immense pain in parents’ eyes after losing their child. These experiences take an emotional toll, often leading to sleepless nights as we grapple with the weight of these tragedies.”

The Joy of Seeing Patients Recover

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Head Consultant of Mental Health and Behavioral Science at Artemis Hospital in Gurugram, discussed the challenges of balancing patient evaluations within limited time and the stigma attached to mental health. He shared a touching story: “A shy, withdrawn patient blossomed after treatment. Years later, they ran into me, brimming with confidence, and shared how they were now a successful teacher. Moments like that make the challenges worthwhile.”

Dealing with Chronic Illnesses

Watching a patient suffer from cancer can be very difficult for doctors. Dr. Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Center at Medanta - The Medicity, shared, “It is hard to see so much suffering and sometimes face the death of patients with whom we develop a kinship because of the long-term follow-up and long treatments.”

Caring for Pets

Pets quickly become part of our families, and their health is greatly influenced by their diet. Pet Nutritionist Anjali Kalachand, Co-founder of A Better Life, shared, “I am a firm believer that food is medicine. Before even choosing to get certified in companion animal nutrition, my inspiration to learn more about nutrition came from small changes I made to my own pet’s diet, which helped resolve his recurring acidity and skin issues. Being a nutritionist allows me to educate pet parents about how to feed their pets better, whilst helping those with recurring issues tweak their diets and watch their pets flourish.”

On National Doctor’s Day, we honor the dedication, resilience, and compassion of doctors who work tirelessly to improve our lives.