Promote science, not belief
THERE Is A NEED to popularise modern methods of MEDICINE AND prohibit unproven and irrational practices regarding mental health
Reports of medical students and young doctors committing suicide, even in a premier institution like AIIMS, is a matter of grave concern. This issue needs serious introspection on the part of the medical professionals as well as the society. Depression, that these young doctors and students have to pass through, may have several causes both external and internal. Stress starts in students and their parents, even as children enter into 10+1 class and are preparing to get into the medical course. Many promising students remain devoid of the opportunity to get admission into the course they have aspired for all through their schooling because of exorbitant increase in the tuition fees due to the privatisation of medical education. Just because one does not have money to pay the tuition fee to the tune of nearly one crore rupees for graduation, and another one crore for postgraduation, they fail to become doctors. Thereafter, they look for other allied courses but never get reconciled to this.
According to psychiatrists, the possible causes of depressive and suicidal symptomatology in medical students include stress and anxiety secondary to the competitiveness of medical school; inability to cope with the vast curriculum; repeated examinations; high expectations of the parents, teachers, and patients, and time constraints for pursuing their alternative interests, etc. Weakening cohesiveness in the society is perpetuating the problem. Strong social relations were helpful in reducing stress. Remedial measures include restructuring of medical school curricula and student evaluations, reducing barriers to mental health services including addressing the stigma of depression, having a dedicated psychological help clinic in the campus or having alternative means of communication through a helpline or E-mail, peer mentorship programmes, consultation by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, life skills counseling, etc.
Interestingly the Indian Medical Association (IMA) decided to start the IMA Initiative for Emotional Health & Emotional Well-being of Medical Students and Doctors in India, ostensibly considering the increased rate of mental illness, and in some cases even suicides, especially in young medicos. The Karnataka unit of IMA even organised a workshop comprising presentations by Isha Yoga Foundation, Banjara Academy, Laughter Yoga, and Art of Living Foundation.
Dr. Srinivas Kakilaya, an Internal Medical Specialist at Mangaluru, and a few more doctors including psychiatrists, neurologist, and family medical practitioner challenged the approach of IMA. They called upon the IMA not to promote unproven, non-evidence based practices on such an issue of mental health, which is so delicate. They pointed out that in modern medicine there are innumerable resources regarding suicidal risk, its identification and management, including emergency care. There is enough evidence regarding the effectiveness of dialectical behavioural therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in preventing suicides. It is, in fact, dangerous to promote yoga and such methods for anyone with suicidal ideation, and deny evidence-based critical interventions required for such people, they pointed out. This will also send the wrong message about the scientific method of treating depression. Already in India, there is a treatment gap of 87.2 to 95.7 for depression in community-based studies; therefore, promotion of methods such as yoga will create further confusion and denial of care for the needy, they said.
The medical ethics demands of a medical practitioner to be rational and scientific in approach while treating a patient. The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette & Ethics) Regulations, 2002 says no person other than a doctor having qualification recognised by Medical Council of India and registered with Medical Council of India/state Medical Council(s) is allowed to practice the modern system of medicine or surgery. A person obtaining a qualification in any other system of medicine is not allowed to practice the modern system of medicine in any form.
As per clause 1.2.1 of this, the principal objective of the medical profession is to render service to humanity with full respect for the dignity of profession and man. Physicians should merit the confidence of patients entrusted to their care, rendering to each a full measure of service and devotion. Physicians should try continuously to improve medical knowledge and skills and should make available to their patients and colleagues the benefits of their professional attainments. The physician should practice methods of healing founded on a scientific basis and should not associate professionally with anyone who violates this principle. The honoured ideals of the medical profession imply that the responsibilities of the physician extend not only to individuals but also to society.
In our country, there are already several myths and unscientific practices regarding diseases and their cure, which continue to persist even among the literates. This is despite several advances in the medical science and information mechanism.
It is saddening that the government is not only apathetic towards many irrational ideas on health but is very subtly promoting irrational ideas. Use of cow urine, astrology in the hospitals with an advisory to the patients to visit these astrologers, the ‘Garbh Vigyan Sanskar’ by Arogya Bharti advising couples to recite shlokas at the time of mating so as to have customised babies of their choice - Uttam Santati. Some ministers have been seen to attend the conference of ‘Tantriks’ and felicitate them in Gujarat. Such acts lead to misconceptions in the minds of people and spread obscurantism. It is for the medical bodies, rationalist societies, and right-minded people with scientific outlook to question rather than promote Yoga for everything which might only have a placebo effect, said Dr S K Prabhakar, a psychiatrist from Ludhiana. (Dr. Arun Mitra is Senior Vice President, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development. The views expressed are strictly personal)
Our country already has several myths and unscientific practices regarding diseases and their cure, even among the educated, despite advances in the medical science and information mechanism. Denying evidence-based interventions required for such people and suggesting yoga will create further confusion and denial of care