This Theme addresses the emotional, mental and the Physical Wellbeing of the Doctors Stressing for the Support for Those Who are Caring for Others. 
 WHO IS HEALING THE HEALERS? perhaps none.

Every individual seeks Medical Care at some point in life be it for minor or major problem. Yet,  the White Coat Doctors themselves often face a silent epidemic of health challenges like depression, anxiety, addiction, emotional exhaustion and even suicide. 
The demand of the hardworking nature of the Medical Professional and long  unpredictable working hours, self doubt and the risk of Psychological Distress must be well addressed to honestly safeguard the doctors and the Medical Profession. 

National Doctor's Day is celebrated in our country on 1st July every year to honour the Birth & Death Anniversary of the famous legendary Physician, Freedom Fighter and the former Chief Minister of West Bengal Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. 
This 2006 celebration honours  the Medical Fraternity, raising health care infrastructure and well-being of the doctors. 
Hospitals, Govt. Institutions and IMA  organize appreciation events on this day and hold even free Health Camps. 
Different countries observe this day on entirely different days. 
It is a matter of great pride that Women Doctors number has gone higher significantly and they hold the top positions. Just feeling proud that that the Heads of the Pediatrics Deptts at GMC Patiala & Amritsar, DMC & CMC are women and we are proud of them. I feel proud to share with you that Dr. Anandibai Gopal Rao Toshi is widely recognized as the first Indian Woman Medical Graduate ( Western Degree) In 1886 (at 21 years of age) she earned the MD from Women Medical College of Pennsylvania in the US. She gained all this after facing immense hardship and overcoming a lot of societal opposition. Unfortunately she died of TB a year after her graduation without availaling an opportunity to practice.
Dr. Kadambini Ganguli (1861-1925) was then the 1st woman to practice Western Medicine.

The arrow or the CADUCEUS is the symbol of the doctors in Medical Profession Insignia.
Incidentally 1st July also happens to be an International Joke Day...welcome to send me the jokes on this day. This day is dedicated to sharing humerus videos, emails and sharing jokes with friends and family. 
DOCTOR'S DAY IS A TIME TO THANK THE PHYSICIANS FOR THEIR DEDICATION, COMPASSION AND SERVICE. 

Significance of the Day:

*Reorganize the dedication and sacrifice of the doctors. 
**Expession of gratitude for the service to the humanity.*
*Promote awareness of the challenges faced by the health care Professionals.
*Encorages Society to support the well-being of the Medical Practioners.
" Doctors are the bridge between illness and wellness; Fear and Hope."
Let us express our heartfelt gratitude to the profession whose healing hands and caring hearts strengthen our connections every day. 
Before I finish the topic by saying:
HAPPY NATIONAL DOCTOR'S DAY &
Heartiest Congratulations to all the members of the Medical Fraternity. 
I must go into the most common problem affecting the Doctors: BURNOUT
It has been classified by the WHO as an " Occupational Phenomenon" and not a medical diagnosis. 
Burnout is taking place in  many professions but the research points out that Physician Burn out could affect the entire society. Sad to say that Burnout has become more common among the female doctors. 
We all know that Young Doctors(below 30 years) are more prone to burnout.
Doctors spend long hours at work, face (unhealthy) competition and they are supposed to regularly update themselves also with new knowledge and the techniques. 
Resident doctors may have substandard living conditions, unhealthy dietary practices also and insufficient professional Insurance, threatening or even impetuous violence by the relatives of the patients ( as per one study) 
It is sad that even after studying for years there is no guarantee that a doctor will become famous and well established in the profession. Sometimes the circumstances may be so deteriorating and poor that today's young doctors sacrifice their career or even  life. As per one report Burnout is affecting 3=4% of the doctors. Burnout is most common in the female and the younger doctors. So we require proper working conditions  and the worklife balance. Screen time has now become another major lifestyle concern. Legal harassment is also on the rise.
A doctor may have given the perfect treatment and may still suffer legally because of poor documentation, not valid consent, poor recording and or failure to communicate adequately. In our profession,  behavior may matter even  more than proper prescription. Poor work life balance is proving lethal for the doctors. 
Lastly the societal circumstances are not the same as before ( cordial and respectful) with the Medical Profession. 
There is erosion of the trust and also increased health disparities, more working population and even lack of official preparedness for the Public Health Crisis.

"These days people are very good lawyers for defending their own mistakes and very good judges for the mistakes of the doctors"

There are few things more powerful than the people united.What they unite over is not what matters......The most important aspect is remembering our existing connections, and through that, allowing ourselves to feel at peace.
(Vivanite Tugaleva)

"ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE: TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH"
(Hellen Keller)

In India another burgeoning problem is attending Health Care Needs of the Ageing Population. 
Is India prepared for this?
In India the elderly Population is growing rapidly, gaps in social care, social support and preventive health services are becoming apparent.Increasd life expectancy is leading to elderly population reaching 324 million by 2050. This section of the population is more frail, more vulnerable to age related health problems. 
Are we ready to cater to the needs of this population, providing effective treatment and adopting preventive health care measures?
Disincentivizing UPF(Ultra-processed foods), SSB ( Sugar Sweetened Beverages) to prevent NCDs (Non-communicable Diseases).
On the other hand life expectancy of doctors is  going down and their life span is more than one decade less than the general population. The life span of the doctors is estimated between 55 - 59 years and that of Indian Citizens is 70  - 72 years. So DOCTORS in India have drastically poor life span and more so when  compared to the developed countries. Working conditions do matter. Our Resident Doctors may have to work 36 hours without going to sleep and it is a very exhausting routine weakening the body and the immunity. This type of harsh life style leads to Cardiovascular Diseases ( especially heart attack) and malignancy.
The fear of public violence also keeps our doctors on tenter hooks and always weighing on the mind.
No time to look after our own health  resulting in early or sudden deaths.
As per the IMA also system reforms are necessary and there should mandatory stress on the government management also. Roughly 20-30% doctors are more prone to heart attacks and cancer.
DOCTORS HEAL YOURSELVES 

The Medical Profession is currently navigating a severe crisis driven by crippling administrative burdens, workforce shortages and soaring costs and these pressures are also aggravating record high Physician Burnout affecting the quality of the health care delivery. 
High workloads, long working hours and regulatory stress are also adding to the burnout., some say it is affecting half of the work force.
AI is also going to play its double-sided role: a lot of inappropriate self treatment and blaming the doctors. India is having more than 380 Medical Colleges ( largest number in the world) and majority of the newly produced doctors are inappropriately employed or unemployed...
In essence safeguarding doctors mental health is more important than just simple well-being. 
A healthy doctor means a healthy patient and healthy society. 
Health care providers have to frequently face stressful situations like Covid Epidemic, Earthquake,  Violence, Floods, Mass Food
 Poisoning etc .,

The future of the profession doesn't seem to be so hopeful: in a recent survey 91% of the doctors clearly said they don't want their children to become doctors; this solicitude may not allow us to haggle for the uplift of the Medical Profession. 

Lastly, no doubt Medicine is a sanative science of healing but its practice demands accountability. 

HAPPY NATIONAL DOCTOR'S DAY 

Dr. V.K.Ahuja 
MD, DCH, FNNF, FIAP 
Consultant Child Specialist.