Marking National Doctors' Day on July 1, cancer specialist Dr Esha Kaul highlighted the immense emotional and psychological burden carried by doctors in India, saying the profession leaves no room for mistakes because patients often view their doctors as their last hope. Speaking about the realities of life in medicine, Dr Kaul said the expectations placed on healthcare professionals are far greater than those faced by even the world's most celebrated athletes.
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kaul, Director of Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at Medanta, Noida, said doctors cannot afford an off day in the way sports icons such as Virat Kohli or Roger Federer can. "We can't afford a bad day like Kohli or Federer. We are someone's only hope," she said, underscoring the enormous responsibility that comes with treating critically ill patients. According to her, every decision made by a doctor can have life-changing consequences, making the profession emotionally demanding despite years of training and experience.
Dr Kaul also spoke about the psychological challenges of delivering difficult diagnoses, particularly to children and young patients battling cancer. She said informing a teenager or their family about a cancer diagnosis never becomes easier, regardless of how long a doctor has been practising. Behind every consultation, she explained, lies an emotional struggle that often remains invisible to patients and the public, even as doctors are expected to remain calm, composed and reassuring under the most difficult circumstances.
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Reflecting on her own journey, Dr Kaul recalled beginning medical school at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on August 1, 2001. Over the past 25 years, including a decade of practising medicine in the United States before returning to India 11 years ago, she described her career as a "roller coaster ride" shaped by long working hours, emotionally taxing cases and the constant pressure of making critical decisions. While medicine has brought professional fulfilment, she said it has also demanded significant personal sacrifices.
Her remarks draw attention to a growing conversation around the mental health of doctors in India. Medical professionals routinely work extended shifts, experience sleep deprivation and face the emotional impact of handling life-and-death situations on a daily basis. The expectation that doctors remain flawless, coupled with increasing workloads and rising public expectations, has intensified concerns over burnout, anxiety and stress within the healthcare community.
As the country observes National Doctors' Day, Dr Kaul's reflections serve as a reminder that healthcare professionals are not immune to emotional strain despite their role in saving lives. Her comments underscore the importance of recognising the mental well-being of doctors alongside celebrating their contributions, with experts increasingly calling for better institutional support, improved work-life balance and greater awareness of the psychological challenges faced by those on the frontlines of patient care.
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