With a recent background of events unfolding for the healthcare sector, the medical profession often referred to as the “noble profession” is seeing a shift in sentiments. We conducted a survey to understand what the practising doctors of India thought about their profession and were they are likely to recommend medical profession to the younger generation.

Here we present the findings of this online survey.

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Methodology

The survey carried a few simple and direct questions for the Indian doctor community. The doctors were requested to respond voluntarily over a period of 2 weeks. A total of 166 doctors responded to the online questionnaire.

Demographics of the respondents

• The respondents were split equally between metro and non-metro cities
• Over 40% of respondents were in the age bracket of 30-39 years, over 30% were between the age of 20-29 years
• 36% doctor respondents were government hospital employees

 

 

 

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The "noble" profession's predicament

We asked the respondents to share what they felt about the future of doctors in India, whether optimistic or pessimistic.

26% doctors were very optimistic or positive about the medical professionals future in India. 35% doctors were only somewhat optimistic. 13% of the of the respondents were very pessimistic and  26% respondents were only somewhat pessimistic about the future of doctors in India.

 

Self-satisfaction is the most motivating factor to continue work as a doctor

We also asked the doctors to share with us the motivating reasons to continue working as a medical professional. The respondents mentioned “self-satisfaction” and social commitment as the foremost motivating reason.Few other motivating factors mentioned by the respondents were

• potential to save lives each day
• serve the mankind
• contribute to the society

If given a chance to revisit, what would you choose?

We asked the doctors if they were given a chance to go back and choose another speciality, what that would be?

Few doctors responded that they were happy with their choice of speciality.But a few other respondents chose one speciality over the current; a senior ob-gyn practising doctor responded saying that she/he would choose dermatology as it avoided night-shifts and allowed more time for family.Yet another doctor (50-59 y), currently practising as ob-gyn, chose radiology over his current branch as he thought that would help him to keep patient interactions to minimal.

Doctors are optimistic but not willing to recommend the profession to the younger generation

When we asked the doctors if they would consider recommending medicine as a profession to their children or other young people, we got a completely divided response.

Half (50%)of the doctors replied in affirmative but the other half (49%) responded with a “NO” and declined the idea.

 

“Very long period of education and training compared to any other profession. Huge investment to start a decent practice.Long gestation period before we can start decent earning”, commented a senior doctor(60-69 y) who responded saying he would not recommend the profession to the younger generation.

This sentiment was echoed in responses of many other respondents. In addition to this “too much stress”, diminished respect, too many regulations, were other prominent reasons chosen by respondents who did not wish to recommend this as a profession to the younger generation.

Practising doctors urge younger generation to pick specialities with minimum risk

Doctors who were willing to recommend this profession to the younger generation picked fields like general medicine, family medicine, oncology, radiology and cited these reasons for choosing these specialities for recommending- “no tunnel vision, more potential for helping patients; better opportunities in corporate setups, and less chances of facing violence or medico-legal issues..”

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Disclaimer

We have presented the data and facts as they are without generalizing the results as a reflection of the views of entire Indian doctor population. The demographic profile of the survey participants [shown above] may differ from the population of all Indian Doctors. Also, limiting the sample to the Internet channel only may introduce bias in the results. We also urge that the findings should not be interpreted as implying cause and effect.