Traditionally, MS was the preferred specialization in India. However, the NEET PG 2023 preferences revealed a significant shift.
Published Aug 13, 2024 | 2:17 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2024 | 2:17 PM
Cases of attacks against practising doctors have been alarmingly high recently, with the latest one being the horrific sexual assault and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which sparked nationwide protests.
This incident reflected the growing fear among medical professionals when choosing a specialization after completing their MBBS.
Traditionally, the Master of Surgery (MS) was the preferred specialization for doctors in India. However, in the NEET PG 2023 counselling, the preferences of top-rank holders revealed a significant shift towards certain fields.
General Medicine emerged as the most popular choice, with 41 candidates opting for this specialization. Radiodiagnosis, which was previously less popular, saw 28 candidates choosing it.
In stark contrast, only two candidates opted for surgery, indicating a marked decline in interest compared to previous years. Gynaecology and other specializations saw minimal representation among the top rankers, with only a few candidates selecting these fields.
Additionally, many doctors on social media have expressed concerns about the profession, stating they would not encourage their children to pursue a career in medicine.
“Imagine a group of six people, aged 25-35, drunk at night, with one severely injured and in need of medical attention. Out of the six, five are intoxicated. These individuals go to the emergency ward of a hospital where a young female doctor is on night duty. While it’s her duty to care for the patient, there’s no security around her, no guard on duty, and she’s left to handle the situation alone. And, one of the intoxicated individuals is making advances. What should the female doctor do at that moment? asked Dr Vanya Jasmine, a resident surgeon at a government hospital in Telangana.
“Should she follow the Hippocratic Oath and focus on treating the patient, or should she rush away, knowing that anything could happen to her?” she asked.
She described the daily reality for young female doctors like herself, who not only practice medicine but also have to navigate such dangerous situations.
She noted that security concerns extend beyond emergency duties to even routine Out-Patient Department (OPD) visits.
“A few months back, a mentally challenged patient came to see me in the OPD. He had both mental health issues and family problems. After I treated and advised him to go, he asked to be admitted. I told him he didn’t need admission. He left, only to return with a cement brick in his hand. He had passed through three security points to enter the OPD with the brick, but no one stopped him. My two junior colleagues and I had to rush into a room to stay safe,” Dr Vanya added.
She also pointed out that while women doctors are often in vulnerable situations, male doctors are not immune to harassment and assault.
Dr Vanya recalled an incident in which an intern doctor was assaulted by a patient’s family members.
“Since my internship, I’ve observed intimidation in both government and private institutions, but my resilient dedication led me to pursue surgery. I’ve seen people who started in surgery leave it for other specializations,” Dr Vanya said.
Other doctors also pointed out that factors such as safety, good remuneration, and a favourable work-life balance are increasingly leading doctors to choose non-patient-facing specializations.
“This trend can be attributed to growing concerns about violence against doctors and the demanding nature of surgical specialities. There has been a notable rise in incidents of violence against doctors, particularly surgeons and those working in emergency departments. Reports of physical assaults by patients or their families have created a climate of fear among medical professionals,” said a junior doctor based in Hyderabad.
She added that many students are deterred from pursuing surgery due to the direct patient interactions that often lead to confrontations, especially when outcomes do not meet patient or family expectations.
“Many medical students perceive a surgical career as demanding and less conducive to a work-life balance. The long hours, frequent on-call duties, and the high-stress environment associated with surgery discourage students from pursuing this path. A study in Kerala even found that the life expectancy of medical professionals is lower than that of the general population, with surgeons being the most affected,” she said.
She further noted that during the specialization and super-speciality years, surgeons often earn the same as those in other specialities but have to work significantly more hours.
“Why would anyone want to pursue surgery when fields like internal medicine or dermatology offer better financial stability and more predictable hours?” she asked.
Additionally, advancements in medical technology have shifted some surgical procedures to less invasive techniques performed by non-surgeons, such as interventional cardiologists. This change reduces the demand for traditional surgical roles, making specialities like cardiology more appealing.
“Everyone has hobbies,” she said, adding, “For example, let’s say someone wants to make an Instagram reel, but a patient-facing doctor may not even get enough time to sleep, let alone pursue hobbies. So, it’s no surprise that many people avoid choosing such specializations.”
After the incident in Kolkata, many doctors expressed reluctance to encourage their children or anyone else to pursue a career in medicine.
“I can recommend a person to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, to become a sea diver despite having hydrophobia, or even a blind person to fly a helicopter, but I will not recommend anyone to become a doctor in India. #bengalhorror,” said Dr Dhruv Chauhan in a post on X.
I can recommend a person to climb Mount Everest without oxygen , to become a sea diver despite having hydrophobia and a blind person to fly a helicopter but I will not recommend anyone to become a Doctor in India.#bengalhorror
— Dr.Dhruv Chauhan (@DrDhruvchauhan) August 10, 2024
Hyderabad-based Dr Sunita Sayammagaru highlighted a concerning scenario: “Imagine you’re elderly, your children are busy with their own lives, and you have the typical health issues of old age that require regular medical attention. Then, suddenly, a more serious health issue arises, requiring hospitalisation and constant care from several doctors.”
“Now, imagine it’s difficult to find a skilled and trustworthy doctor. The few good doctors available have long waiting lists, but for you, it’s a matter of life and death, and you can’t afford to wait. What would you do? Would you risk seeing a substandard doctor, and gambling with your life? Would you wait for the skilled doctor, still risking your life as you wait? Moreover, a good doctor who knows their worth will likely charge high fees. Would you still want to see this doctor every time, even if it strains your finances?” she asked.
Dr Sayammagaru continued, “This is not an imaginary scenario; it’s a reality that will become more common in the next 10-20 years. It’s already happening. I know nearly 10 highly educated, brilliant doctor couples whose children, now in grades 9-11, have chosen not to pursue MBBS as a career. In most of these cases, the doctor parents themselves advised their kids to choose another career path.”
“I also know a few doctor couples whose children want to become doctors, but they are keen to go to the USA and settle there, and they are already making preparations for it,” she shared on X.
She further emphasised that unless violence against doctors is addressed, this bleak future is inevitable.
“At the very least, for our own sake, for the future of our families, violence against doctors must stop. We need to provide a better workplace environment,” she urged.
Dear everyone who ever is reading this,
Imagine you are old, your children are away and busy in their lives, you have the usual age old infirmities for which u need a doctor. Then suddenly, one day, you encounter a more serious health issue. And you need to be hospitalized and…
— Sunita Sayammagaru 🇮🇳🇬🇧 (@drsunita02) August 12, 2024
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
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