VIP patients can be harmful for doctors

Senior doctors say treating one VIP patient is equal to 10 middle class patients

The sudden death of Mumbai gynaecologist and marathoner Dr Rakesh Sinha has got doctors in the city talking about how important it is to take care of one’s health and to deal with the stress of VIP patients.

Dr Sinha, who had completed four marathons, had collapsed and died during practice for the upcoming Mumbai Marathon. He was 60. Most senior doctors in the city said celebrities, politicians and film personalities required careful handling as patients; their extended families too demanded attention.

A senior doctor said, “Doctors who deal with VIP patients face a lot of stress as their condition has to be monitored 24x7. Doctors are also subjected to severe questioning when there is any complication. Hence it requires a proper back-up team of para-medical staff on whom they can rely during these times. The stress of having one VIP patient is equal to treating 10 middleclass patients. At some point, it starts taking a toll.”

Dr Sinha’s death has made many doctors talk about how important it is to introspect. A senior doctor said, “It is important for all of us to go slow as there are stressful factors like managing a surgery, post-operative care and complications which have to be effectively handled. These add to the physical and mental stress and it takes a toll at some point.”

In the various discussions on social networking sites, concerns have been raised about how patient numbers must not be given importance. “Let us see fewer patients but give them quality care. Let’s not look at huge numbers because that only adds to our burden. Let some patients go to our colleagues and we must be happy with whatever we have,” another senior doctor said.

Senior doctors in their early fifties said it was important to spend quality time with family. Other stress busters like music, dance, painting and other social activities were being advocated to take the mind of the pressures of the daily grind.

THE SUDDEN death of Mumbai gynaecologist highlighted the stress that doctors undergo in treating VIP patients.

DOCTORS in the city feel it is time to treat a fewer patients and spend time with family.