'Dr Vani, you are such a bright Psychiatrist. But I am sad to tell you, you are not practical-minded'. 'Just go with the flow- give cuts and concentrate on treating patients' 'Changing the World is not a Doctor's job. Look at it this way- Our job is to treat patients and if you dont give cuts you dont get patients......then whats the use of all this learning and commitment?' Words of wisdom from a senior Family Physician. Spoken with genuine feeling and a desire to see me succeed. But Sir, its not like that. Its about the means as much as the end.
Initially I did not participate in cut-practice because MCI rules said not to do cut-practice. After 10 yrs in private practice, I agree and genuinely feel that one should not do cut-practice.
After I finished my MD, I joined Dr Harish Shetty's practice as Part-time Assistant. For 2 months I searched for 'jobs' in the mornings and worked with Dr Shetty in the evenings. Within 2 months, he encouraged me to start a morning OPD and told me it was possible to do so without being in cut-practice. So 3 times a week I would be in my clinic, whereas the other 3 days I roamed in Andheri, Santacruz and Parle East and West introducing myself to every doctor, school principal, business owner, etc.
My job helped me cover my costs. Some people were referred by Dr Shetty, some by my Family Physician, highly esteemed Dr Pingle. A very significant number were sent by my alma mater, NIMHANS. Very few patients walked-in. But the numbers were pathetic. In my first year, I managed a royal number of about 150 consultations in my private practice! But I was present in my clinic punctually, taking every chance to promote my work. Because of trying this and that, and maternity leave and other female-related challenges, I had about 4 false starts in my practice over the last ten years. Only the last 14 months have seen some stability.
Over the years its built up to sustainable levels. Now I dont need a job to pay my bills. I can cover my costs and also meet my financial goals. I admit that the latter are modest because hubbie dear is the primary breadwinner. It is also true that I am the housewife in my family and spend much less time working. But my hourly earnings are comparable to my hyperactive full-time colleagues. I dont know what I would do if I had to work full-time, as I really do not have those numbers in my practice. Being a part-timer is really a boon for my self esteem right now. But I am confident I could have worked out something, if I had to work full time and generate that much work- I dont want to worry myself over hypothetical failures.
As I never gave cuts- I could earn as much by working less. I spend my waiting time studying Psychiatry and keep myself up-to-date. As I never took cuts, I was never under obligation to waste my Sundays and Holidays attending mindless programmes arranged by diagnostic centres and pharma companies. I generally relaxed and recovered my health and spirits.
I am Queen of my domain. I decide how my time should be spent. I give a receipt for EVERY transaction. I have filed honest IT returns and feel very proud when the income tax amount increases every year. Anyway I dont like taxable income, because it is so difficult to get IT Refunds. So I am not afraid of IT department, and my CA is happy because he has a straightforward job of presenting my accounts.
I cannot tell you how confident I feel that I am surviving on my own steam and the sense of superiority I get. Right from the beginning I have placed a high value on 'perfection' 'excellence' 'achievement' and even from my school days have always tried to distinguish myself in my studies and work. I am immensely proud of getting my education from all good institutes through path of merit.
Cut-practice is nothing but corruption. Corruption is for persons who are less in some way. Among doctors, is may be due to poor confidence or if you dont have a proper degree from a good institution. Or even if you have all that, it is possible that you are greedy or simply so weak-willed that you are unable to think for yourself.
I never thought I was ever among any of the above. Thats why I chose never to be in cut-practice. Over the years the clinical work I have done, the friends I have made and the respect I have earned- have vindicated my stand. It is true that Changing the World is a very difficult thing for a doctor, as we are very busy and dealing with individual problems of our patients. But if you have a strong ethical value-based thought process and the will to survive the challenges and the maturity to suffer for your beliefs- why Should I change for the World? No Sir, I dont want to change the world. But I just dont want to change myself too. Is that okay with you?
Initially I did not participate in cut-practice because MCI rules said not to do cut-practice. After 10 yrs in private practice, I agree and genuinely feel that one should not do cut-practice.
After I finished my MD, I joined Dr Harish Shetty's practice as Part-time Assistant. For 2 months I searched for 'jobs' in the mornings and worked with Dr Shetty in the evenings. Within 2 months, he encouraged me to start a morning OPD and told me it was possible to do so without being in cut-practice. So 3 times a week I would be in my clinic, whereas the other 3 days I roamed in Andheri, Santacruz and Parle East and West introducing myself to every doctor, school principal, business owner, etc.
My job helped me cover my costs. Some people were referred by Dr Shetty, some by my Family Physician, highly esteemed Dr Pingle. A very significant number were sent by my alma mater, NIMHANS. Very few patients walked-in. But the numbers were pathetic. In my first year, I managed a royal number of about 150 consultations in my private practice! But I was present in my clinic punctually, taking every chance to promote my work. Because of trying this and that, and maternity leave and other female-related challenges, I had about 4 false starts in my practice over the last ten years. Only the last 14 months have seen some stability.
Over the years its built up to sustainable levels. Now I dont need a job to pay my bills. I can cover my costs and also meet my financial goals. I admit that the latter are modest because hubbie dear is the primary breadwinner. It is also true that I am the housewife in my family and spend much less time working. But my hourly earnings are comparable to my hyperactive full-time colleagues. I dont know what I would do if I had to work full-time, as I really do not have those numbers in my practice. Being a part-timer is really a boon for my self esteem right now. But I am confident I could have worked out something, if I had to work full time and generate that much work- I dont want to worry myself over hypothetical failures.
As I never gave cuts- I could earn as much by working less. I spend my waiting time studying Psychiatry and keep myself up-to-date. As I never took cuts, I was never under obligation to waste my Sundays and Holidays attending mindless programmes arranged by diagnostic centres and pharma companies. I generally relaxed and recovered my health and spirits.
I am Queen of my domain. I decide how my time should be spent. I give a receipt for EVERY transaction. I have filed honest IT returns and feel very proud when the income tax amount increases every year. Anyway I dont like taxable income, because it is so difficult to get IT Refunds. So I am not afraid of IT department, and my CA is happy because he has a straightforward job of presenting my accounts.
I cannot tell you how confident I feel that I am surviving on my own steam and the sense of superiority I get. Right from the beginning I have placed a high value on 'perfection' 'excellence' 'achievement' and even from my school days have always tried to distinguish myself in my studies and work. I am immensely proud of getting my education from all good institutes through path of merit.
Cut-practice is nothing but corruption. Corruption is for persons who are less in some way. Among doctors, is may be due to poor confidence or if you dont have a proper degree from a good institution. Or even if you have all that, it is possible that you are greedy or simply so weak-willed that you are unable to think for yourself.
I never thought I was ever among any of the above. Thats why I chose never to be in cut-practice. Over the years the clinical work I have done, the friends I have made and the respect I have earned- have vindicated my stand. It is true that Changing the World is a very difficult thing for a doctor, as we are very busy and dealing with individual problems of our patients. But if you have a strong ethical value-based thought process and the will to survive the challenges and the maturity to suffer for your beliefs- why Should I change for the World? No Sir, I dont want to change the world. But I just dont want to change myself too. Is that okay with you?
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