DOCTORSAB, JUST POOCHNA THA.......
This phrase is common to
almost every person who has ever visited a doctor and the most common line
heard by every medical professional who has been in clinical practice in our
country. A family of four will enter the doctor’s chambers with the patient in
tow. Once the consultation is done, the eldest will start with a smile,
“Doctorsab, ek aur cheez poochni thi” (one more thing to ask) and the list of
medical complaints will start to unravel, featuring every individual sitting in
the room with the doctor calmly listening and answering the string of queries.
It
is considered rude to ask for consultation fee when the questions begin with
this phrase. I was probably less taken aback than the lady sitting across the
table when after half an hour of answering her queries about all her family
members’ defects and their remedies, that I asked her to pay for my
consultation fee. The famous dialogue from a hindi blockbuster, Three Idiots,
“Examiner ne humein aise dekha, jaise ki humne uski dono kidneys maang lee
hain” played like a backdrop music in my mind. Unfortunately unlike Aamir Khan,
I could not leave my desk and run. So, I sat and calmly listened to the heated
arguments that were put forth me for asking such an uncivilized demand.
“I
am not the patient, I just asked because I was sitting in your chamber” is the
common sentiment. My fellow colleagues blame the MOBILE for the advent of this
behaviour. People have become so accustomed to asking their problems on phone
and carrying on, that when it comes to personal interaction, the new found
ethics prevail.
How
does a doctor earn his living? By giving his advise and is charging you for his
responsibility to get you in shape and to have the conviction to make you fit.
Have you seen any kirayana store fellow giving free ration, any cloth merchant
giving free clothes, any building contractor making a house for free? They all
charge. Then why is the doctor obliged to give up his right to ask for his
consultation fee? And if he does, he is made out to be the guilty party. Only a
few will realize that he is in the position to answer your queries because he
has given 15 years of his life to the study of medicine and innumerable hours
of clinical practice to sit before you.
In
a city like Hisar, a doctors’ fee is Rs 50 to 100, Ludhiana 200 to 500,
Chandigarh 500 to 700 and Metros above 1000 rupees. And if I may venture and
ask how much does it cost when you go to a multiplex and watch a movie with a
family of four with snacks, not less than 1500 rupees.......
Recently an uptown nursing home in
Chandigarh, started issuing prepaid cards with passwords for access to the
doctor so that the patient can reach his doctor in case of an emergency. Solving
two problems with one shot; obviating the urge of the patients to call the
doctor for unnecessary things and, making every minute of your call as a paid
consult.
The
famous Punjabi comedian, Mr. Jaspal Bhatti, wrote, acted and directed in his
debut film “Shahji Di Advice” where he wittingly proved that free advice holds
no meaning to the person who gets it as it is more than often not followed.
Similar is the irony with the profession of doctors, people follow the words of
only those whom they have paid and will very candidly tell you that they
consulted a local RMP and didn’t follow what you told as a super specialist on
the phone!!!
Dr. Ashish Gupta
Consultant Plastic Surgeon,
S.P.S. Apollo Hospitals, Ludhiana
