Satyamev Jayate episode itself means Satya, Mr. Aamir Khan wants an individual to walk on the path of Satya. His awarness will definitely change many lives. Any Professionals argue or act will mean they dont wanna change. Accept the truth and definitely India will change. Love India
There could be two IMAs - one as the forum for the doctors who are professionals first; and another where in their local chapters other doctors can discuss the commercial state of their nursing homes, connection with pathological labs, medical insurance matters, referring patients to each other, medical equipment manufacturers, conferences organized by pharama companies, complementaries from pharama companies etc. After all, medicine is a noble professio.
I donot know about the corruption, but one thing is for sure that the opportunism and greed have not spared the doctors even. We are experiencing fee hike in every now and then, unnecessary medical tests prescribed even in situations where clinical examination is sufficient, prescription may contain very costly medicines although the ailment otherwise could be cured by relative very cheap medicines, creating a fear and pressurizing the patients/ relatives to go for unnecessary hospitalization .This is giving them super luxurious life style. Perhaps the patients are being treated as free ATM who can pay for the EMIs for their expensive gadgets, cars etc. May be a majority but admittedly not all are like this. As there is no association for the patients to take up there cause, this will perhaps perpetuate.
Aamir has raised the issues plaguing our profession. Thanks for your thoughtful article, Dr. Nagral. Is it too much to hope for, that some persons/ agency will follow this up, and cure our profession?
The show raised awareness that cuts/commissions etc are a part of healthcare services AND doctors have done NOTHING whatsoever to curtail this practice. The Indian Medical Association, 'led' as it is by the 'leaders' in malpractices, has expectedly criticized the show. An ethical organization would have used this show to garner support for ending such malpractices, proper regulation of the profession and safeguarding the patients' rights. Should we expect that from IMA?
Aamir hit at four out of five of their income sources: (1) Cuts from the path labs (40-50% of test cost) (2) Cuts on Referrals (30-40% of referral fee) (3) Commissions from the pharma companies (30-40% of medicine cost) (4) Unnecessary tests and treatments done when not required
The fifth source of doctor's income is fee charged from the patient. If you hit 80% of someone's income, obviously he will be disturbed. Cuts from the pharma companies is applicable to 100% of doctors, rest may vary from 70-90% of them.
I have a doctor relative who told me that if he receives 10 patients for fever a day, he gives 4 brands of same medicine so that when all these 10 patients talk at the chemist shop on what medicine doctor gave them, they get comfort that all of them received a different medicine assuming that doctor is very intellegent and gives customized medicine to each of them as per THEIR illness...!!
Re: The doctors are disturbed because....
by Hebbar R on Jun 06, 2012 01:35 PM
There are also cases of Doc prescribing Antibiotics for one or two days and the patient is asked to return after that and the same medicine is extended for the full course. Both times, the Doc charges fees.
