Yes, it’s true.The average lifespan of a doctor in India is much less than that of you and me. A survey by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) reveals that while on an average, an Indian lives up to 69-72 years, the average lifespan of doctors is only up to 55-59 years.
What’s going wrong? The findings are based on an analysis of IMA’s social security scheme (SSS) with 5,500 doctors from Maharashtra and over 11,000 from across the country registered under it.
Dr Dilip Sarda, president, IMA, Pune Chapter, says: “Stress, sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise are the main causes that cut short the lives of doctors. Most of the early deaths were due to cardiac arrest.”
Sarda adds that, every year, 12 to 15 doctors in Maharashtra, and around 30 doctors across the country, have been losing their lives in this early age-group.
In Bangalore, too, the picture is not any different. “About 10-15% doctors in our hospital consult me for job-related stress,” says Dr Murali Raj, head of department of psychiatry, Manipal Hospital.
Doctors who deal with the critical care aspect of medicine like surgeries, emergencies, injuries and so on have higher stress levels than consultants. Dr KN Krishna, senior consultant, neuro surgeon, Wockhardt Hospital, says: “Relatives and friends of patients pressurise the surgeon in times of surgeries, but wait for the medicine to take effect in case of consultation.”
Dr Krishna adds: “It is the informed people who cause stress. They come with partial information about the subject and put immense amount of pressure on doctors.”
What is the cure? Dr Krishna prescribes a break to doctors to beat stress. Believing in God also helps doctors deal with their anxieties. Cardiologist Nagaraj Desai of Wockhardt Hospital advises doctors to beat stress through meditation and exercise.
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