Module

1.1

What does it
Mean to be a Doctor?
Nitin Ashok John

Competencies Addressed
The student should be able to:
1. Enumerate and describe
2. Describe and discuss the professional qualities and roles of a physician
part of physician growth commitment lifelong learning as an important
to
3. Describe and discuss the role of a
4. Identify and discuss physician's rolephysician in healthcare system
and responsibility to society and the
community that she/he serves

ILearning Objective
Background
The main aim of introducing this topic is to
profession they have chosen as their career, theirmake studernts aware of the
duties and
towards the profession and community, prospective responsibilities
be exposed to during learning and clinical challenges they will
practices and their
prospects. The students are to be trained and their thinking modulated career
achieve excellence in their career and as they proceed in their to
journey of
medicalstudies, they should be optimistic and charged up with enthusiasm
to learn and adapt the clinical acumen and skill so as to
achieve the best
performance in all medical professional examinations, postgraduate
entrance, postgraduate studies and moreover aiming high to touch the skies.
The gist of the learning will be to understand the need of adequate
medical knowledge, skills and clinical acumen and acquiring noble virtues
and characteristics of selflessness, caring attitude, generosity, dedication
and devotion towards patient to become successful doctors.

INTRODUCTION
The medical profession is a noble and one of the most sought-after
Careers worldwide. Many of the students nurture the desire to
1
 2 AETCOM Manual
become adoctor from the time of toddler age. The
at times may force the student to enter thene medicalparental
profession.
students take this profession by virtue of their The pres ure
honesty, and devotion towards the academics
hardtwhororkughout,sincdiefreitreyn,t
schooling and junior college. As they er into professional colegethe
they experience an environment of professionalism, very
from school life and while in their studies in the medical
i
they undergo various pressure, such as competitive studies
better performance, peer pressure, psychological anxiety
nstitute, tor
lanxietyandregardiso, nalsog
future career prospects, longer span of year of studies
regarding delayed settlement in life as compared to their peers i
other profession. In the above process, they gradually accustom
themselves learning and acquiring clinical skills and knowledge
and so, also understanding the privileges, duties, responsibilities.
ethics and obligations towards patient and community in
medical profession. This chapter helps in understarnding the role.
responsibilities and commitment of doctors towards patients and
society. It also emphasizes the need of continue medical education
and upgradation as an esserntial part in career development for
medical professionals.
GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTITIONER AND SPECIALIST

The medical students pursuing MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery)

degree after graduation and completion of internship usually enter clinial
practice and are referred as medical practitioners, and their duties are
centered towards promoting, managing and restoring physical and
mental health. The medical doctors who are working as 'general
duty medical officers' are referred as 'medical physician' while
'medical
those specializing in internal medicine are referred as are called
specialist or depending on the basis of specializationobstetrician,
ENTSurgeon,
pediatrician, ophthalmologist, surgeon,
gynecologist, radiologist, etc.
ATTRIBUTES OF A DOCTOR
government
As apracticing doctor in private practice or in a (heealthyor
institute, ahumanistic doctor respects all individuals relatives
diseased) and is considerate towardsthe patients andtheiremploys
provides promotive, curative and preventive health, patients
effective communication skills while interacting withapathy,and
consentinall
is sympathetic towards patients, seeking informed
 What does it Mean to be a Doctor? 3

patient'ss health and patient's healthcare needs

decisionsrelatedto physical wellness.
andensures patient's
PHYSICIAN
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES OFA
1. Moral intellect practices with responsibilityaand accountability:
The doctor with moral|intellect practices medicine as perthe
ethical guidelineslaid by the medical councilselfless
with uttermost
service.
sincerity, devotion,dedication, commitment,
sense of responsibility and readiness for accountability for the
positive happening or negative mishaps while he/she is
applying medical knowledge and skills in treating patients.
2. Ethical and legal codes of conduct: A responsible doctor
of informed consent and confidentiality in
pracu principle
practices
bis/ ber healthcare delivery. He/she has adequate
knowledge of medico-legal, societal, ethical and humanitarian
principles influencing healthcare. Thus, to conclude he/she
is aware and able to manage ethical and professional conflicts
and abides by ethical and legal codes of conduct and practices
guidelines meticulously.
3. Personal attributes: He is kind, compassionate, accommodative,
humanistic, honest, a better listener towards his/her patient's
misery,and provides peace, solace and confidence to the
patient for his/her speedy recovery.
4. Knowledge and skills: A good doctor shall use all their wits
and knowledge, employing all their clinical acumen and skills
in saving patient's health and imparting new life.
5. Practices pertaining to specialization: A good doctor limits
his/her practice to skills and specialization achieved by him/
her and tenable as per medical council, government body and
health mission guidelines. Never indulge in any medical
practices outside his/her domain. He/she is ready to seek
second opinion on request of his/her patients.
his/her
6. Professional conduct: A good doctor maintains
professional
conduct towards his/her patients, his/her
professional conduct of
colleagues and community as perrecommended
noble and dignified approach as by Code of
Ethics recommended by Medical Councilof India.
7. Avoids publicity: A good doctor is humble and believes in
services rather than publicity. He/she does not use services of
any media for publicity of his/her clinicalpractices, e-g.
 AETCOM Manual

distribution of pamphlets, advertising through TV channels,

radioservices, etc.
8. Relevant referrals: Agood doctor never makes unnecessary
referrals for investigations or opinion unless condition
He//she can identify need
need in true sense. for to
warrants specialized or. advanced
refer patient who
needs
doctor:
tertiary care.
medical profession:. Agood by his/heris committed
Growth of the
9.
growth of the medical profession selfless
to the patientand society.
services to healthcare
knowledge of disease and of delivery:
10. Adequate has adequate knowledge anatomy,
Agood doctorpathology ofhuman body especiallyr its organ
physiology and cellular and biochemical
pertainingto its its clinical, behavioural
especially
system can differentiate between
can differentially
basis and
perspective. Agood doctor addres
and social interpret investigative data in order to
diagnose and
patient'sproblems. healthcare program:
Participation in national and regional of national and
11. knowledge
A good doctor has adequate modes to impart an
policies and
regional healthcare effective patient-oriented healthcare.
economicallyviable and doctor is an excellent
good
Communication skills: A disease from patient/and
12. history of
communicatorand elicits that is complete in all aspects
a history this is immensely
or his/her relatives;
diagnose the disease and
and helps toeasily management.
helpful in patient's care: A good doctor maintains
with caution and the patient
13. Practices
detailed and appropriate records ofmanagement
accurate, order to facilitate follow-upadministrative
treated by them in litigation and
in cases of medical
and if required
frameworks. interest over
shall ensure patients line of
14. Altruism: A good doctor to preferred
in referencecommission as part
self; especiallytheir wishes omission or hospital
management. Any error by patient and medical
otherwise
of altruism must be disclosed tomethodology which
authorities as a noble practice
is not usually done. prevention,
one who is successful in disease e andable
Thus, a good doctoris alleviation,
health promotion and cure, and pain and distress
palliative services.
toimpart safe rehalbilitation
 What does It Mean to be a Doctor? 5
DOCTOR
SUMMARY: QUALITIES OF A GOOD
" Agood doctor is caring and loving, compassionate and kind,
" Comforting, assuring, alleviating patient's misery with
conscientious mind.
" Listening, accommodating, comtorting, energizing patient with
peace and confidence.
Being humanistic, honest, practicing confidentiality in practices
bears fruitful concordance.
Nurture sense of hope, confidence, recovery, rejuvenation,
renewinga revive.
" Using all his/her clinical acumen and skills in saving patient's
health imparting new life.
" Imbibe with knowledge, optimism, persuasive nature and
intellect philosophy.
Selflessly serving sick and destitute with all his/her might,
potential, ability and generosity.
Thus, a student of today will be the doctor of tomorrow and
he/she should maintain the dignity and higher standard of attitude,
behaviour and ethical practices as a part of this noble profession.

COMMITMENT OF JFELONG LEARNING-AN IMPORTANT PART

OF A PHYSICIAN'S GROWTH
INTRODUCTION
The medical physician has a lifelong commitment
and he/she acquires knowledge and skills over towards learning
the years as
cumulative effect achieving excellence by his/her quest and inner
drive to acquire, learn and adapt the advances in the medical
especially in his/her speciality of practice. This philosophyfield;of
continuous lifelong learning of doctors helps in improving
effective healthcare delivery.
Definition: Lifelong learning initiative: "Lifelong learning is the
progression and development of human potential by acontinuously
Supportive process which empowers and provides impetus to a
person in acquiring knowledge, values, skills, and understanding
SO as to successfully employ these with confidence and creativity
in all arising circumstances and changing environments during
Course of his/her lifetime in the profession he/she practices".
 AETCOM Manual
6
NEEDS AND SCOPE

G Key Points.
skills: |In order to
knowledge and skills:
For self-assessment of theirmedical field, the doctors realize keep pate
with recent advances in theeir
and weaknessesin practice by difficulty and ease they face while strength
diagosis
and management of clinical cases and thus they are able tto recognize an
t ean
objective self-assessment of their knowledge and skills and
them an impetus to continue learning and updating and upgrading their
existing knowledge and skills and thus they acquire new skills
2. For employing gained knowledge in clinical practice: An efficient
his/her gained knowledge and skills in treatment and
physician employs his/
management of patients. Thus, it reflects their potential of introspection
and utilization of experiences, in promoting and enhancement of their
personal knowledge and thereby enhancing their professional growh
and learning.
The doctors emplov varioue
3. For keeping update with recent advances: and these include participation in
techniques in updating their knowledgeseminars and symposium on recent
continue medicaleducation program,
advances in their speciality, attending and presenting papers in conferences.
engines
use of digital media and Medlar Medline online libraries search enroling
by internet browsing, reading latestjournals and books, and also by
run by universities/
in short-term or long-term medical academicprograms
health organizations.
trait of lifelong learning
4. For choosing a career pathway: Acharacteristicrecognize
to and cho0se a
of medical education eventually helps inprofessionally rewarding and
suitable career pathway which shall be
personally fulfilling his/her academic goals.
dynamics of the patient healthcare: The
5. For employing the changed technology
advancement in scientific and innovations (example:
essential tor
telemedicine and employing artificial intelligence) makes it the changed
physicians (doctors) to upgrade to understand and imbibe
dynamics of the patient healthcare and itsdelivery.
also must match
6. For matching local area healthcare needs: The physicians prevalent in
thelocal area healthcare needs depending on the disease
innovation in machinery
those areas, as well they should be aware of
methodology of investigative protocols and modified treatment regine
of diseases, and state and nation's legislative initiatives (applicable laws
Consumer protection acts) and therefore arise the need and necessity o
constant lifelong updating of knowledge for physician.
doctorsi
7. For effective communication and discussion with fellow involved
Treatment in chain--the treatment protocol ofa chain of doctorsneurologist
in management as seen in multispeciality hospitals(physician,self-conscious
cardiologist, radiologist, pathologist, etc.) makes doctors are constantly
to keep update with knowledge of the day, as they
 What does it Mean to be a Doctor? 7

interactingwith each other for effective healthcare delivery. Old days

single doctor-patient management care is gradually waning off.
8. For employing standard of patients' heathcare treatment protocol: The
concept of health analytics in effective health practices has made need
for healthcare benefit assessment more necessary as the increasing data
sets available in open web domain which are becoming standard for
patients' healthcare evaluation has thus warranted need by physicians to
gain and update adequate knowledge of statistics and interpretation as a
part of lifelong learning.
9. For updating with changing medical laws and ethics: The ethics guidelines
in clinical practices are constantly upgraded and amended [examples:
MTP (medical termination of pregnancy) Act, Organ Donation Act, etc.J
hence it has become must for physicians to update their knowledge in
this relevance.

IMPORTANCE
personality: An optimistic
1. Lifelong learning reflects person's behaviour andself-motivated
person always seeks for knowledge and being enhances
his/her knowledge and skills; as his/her personality traits are so.
2. Self-learning or learning at workplace: This is an important mode of
active interactive learning by discussing with your senior professionals,
peers and supervisors.
appraisals
3. It helps in personal career progression through performanceappropriate
by superiors and inputs from colleagues: This stands as a very
assessment for self-improvement unless some workplace biases exist in
organization.
4. Evidence-based practice and learning: It helps in making sensible
decisions by analysing the choicest patient-oriented evidence with patient
centred care available via research evidences and meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION
moreover
Lifelong learning helps to gain confidence in practice, helpful
the application of newly gained knowledge and skills is in
managing patient and moreover the updated knowledge is
supportive of best evidence-based healthcare delivery outcomes
which have been analysed and studied by the lifelong progressive
ifhe/she is well versed
learners. The physician's moral is higher work-force
with recent advances and can guide the under him/
her with confidence and commitment. He/she may also apply
recent advancement and innovation in reference to machinery
methodology and techniques in patient's management.
 8 AETCOM Manual

ROLE OF A PHYSICIAN IN HEALTHCARESYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

The physician's primary role is to treat andImanage diseases,

educates his/her patients, relatives and the health:staff, ,health,
in implementing national health programs and contributesta
preventive and prophylaxis management especially in towards ,participate,
and prevention of spreading of communicable diseases,
Key Points
epidemics
1. Role as team leader: The physician has multiple responsibilities as be
leader and plays a diverse role in coordinating,
communicating, supervising, and imparting effective directing,
staffing,
healthcare
2. Treatment and management of disease: The principal role of a delivery.
is treating and managing the disease of his/her patients. physician
3. Catering heath delivery: Hisher role is of primary importance in caterine
effective healthcare delivery in primary (primary health centres at villaoo
level), secondary (at district level hospitals) and tertiary healthcare in
municipality and city hospitals referral centres) settings.
4. Role in health education: The physician's role as health educator isof
prime importance as he/she provides knowledge and helps in sharpening
the skills of the work-force (paramedics, nurses, technicians, multipurpose
workers, etc.) and other members of the medical healthcare team and
this helps in maximizing the potential work output indirectly helping in
providing best medical healthcare.
5. Role as promoter of health economics and of social entrepreneur: The
physician while serving the society, utilizes the healthcare system and
health delivery in an appropriate, cost-effective manner in concurrence
with the national healthcare policies and thus ensures economically
viable healthcare delivery preventing wastage of government
expenditures.
6. Role in generating healthcare data: The physician's services are based
on ability tocollect, analyse and utilize health data and available statistics
effectively. Aphysician may conduct survey and community-based
statistical research to evaluate benefits of healthcare delivery, similarly these
data may serve as information for planning future healthcare strategies.
7. Role in prevention of diseases: The physician employs
preventive in the
strategies to prevent spreading (communicating) of diseasesmeasure
community. He/she promotes and recommends lifestyle changes in
management of diseases.
8. Role in improving quality of life and lifespan: The physician by providing
therapeutic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative services reduces health
burden in community, and thereby improves human quality of life and liespan.
 What does it Mean to be a Doctor?

9, Role in management of epidemics: Epidemics of contagious diseases

may be life-threatening and timely management and awareness (health
education) bydoctors can help in reducing risk of catastrophic situations
as in epidemics.
10. Role as a behavioural therapist in community: The physician practicing
with humanistic approach (treating with compassion and care) helps
building-in trust in patients and this has found to be effective in developing
confidence, solace and optimistic hope in patient, thus this behavioural
approach hastens recovery. This doctor-patient trust in community members
(as a medical practitioner is usually family doctor of many in the society)
stands as behavioural therapy approach in community-based healthcare.
11. Role in building professionalism and respect towards doctor community:
The professionalism in practices by doctors such as abiding by codes of
ethics establishes high ethical standards and this helps in looking forwards
towards doctors with respect, trust and confidence by community members
thus establishing medical profession at high esteem in the community.
12. Role as trainers of present and future generation of doctors for
community: The physicians provide on job training in teaching as wellI
as service hospitals thus are developing manforce for future healthcare
delivery. This also helps in improving the standard of patient care.
13. Role as authoritative sources on clinical standards: The physicians
continue lifelong learning to update their medical knowledge thus they
are looked forward as authoritative sources on clinical standards and
practice for diagnosis and management by the community members for
seeking consultation if required.
14. Participation in national healthcare program: The physician participates
in implementing various national healthcare programs in community such
as family welfare program, national tuberculosis management program,
national program for prevention of malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis, etc.
15. Participating as social workers: The phsician especially provides honorary
services in shelter homes, home for the aged, slums, prison, or as ahealth
provider NGO, etc. and thus provides social service to the community.
16. Role in changing dynamics of the patient healthcare: The advancement
in scientific technology and innovations (e.g. telemedicine and employing
artificial intelligence) makes it essential for physicians to upgrade to
understand and imbibe the changed dynamics of the patient healthcare
and its delivery.
17. Provides services matching local area healthcare needs: The physicians
also must match the local area healthcare needs depending on the
disease prevalent in those areas, innovation in machinery methodology
of investigative protocols and modified treatment regime of diseases, and
state and nations legislative initiatives (applicable laws, Consumer
Protection Acts).
 AETCOM Manual
10
should notethat the Role of physician in
The students
Note: and'Role of physician towards society and community' are
system' healthcare
synonymous, andinthe next topicphysician's roleeis completely discusset
towards community.
based on his/her role in society and
ROLE OF APHYSICIANTOWARDS SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY

Key Points.
The principal role played by the physiciantowards society and community
are as below:

1. Medical expert: The physician'sprimary role is diagnosing and treating he

patientsinthesociety. He/sheiidentifies the speciality needed for the treatment
institutions, health bodie
andadvices accordingly. He may advice the health programs
and state regarding required intervention incommunity
in health education
2. Health communicator at community level: Role
physician's role as educator is of prime importance as he provides
the
knowledge and helps in sharpening the skills of the work-force
(paramedics, nurses, technicians, multipurpose workers, etc.) and other
members of the medical healthcare team and this helps.
The physician should regularly
3. Role as collaborator at community level:and exchange knowledge
attend CME, Conferences and workshop should nationally.
and skillgained with professional colleagues regionally and
The physician
4. Role as community administrator and social entrepreneur:
system and health
while serving the society, utilizes the healthcare concurrence with
delivery in an appropriate, cost-effective manner in
economically viable
the national healthcare policies and thus ensures
healthcare delivery preventing wastage of government expenditures.
5. Role as planner for future healthcare strategies in society: The physician's
health
health analytics are based on ability to collect, analyse and utilize survey
data and available statistics effectively. Aphysician may conduct
benefits of
and community-based statistical research to evaluate
healthcare delivery, similarly these data may serve as information for
planning future healthcare strategies in the society.
6. Role as social and preventive medicine care provider: The physician employs
preventive measure strategies to prevent spreading (communicating) of
diseases in the community. He/she promotes and recommends lifestyle
changes in management of diseases.
7. Role in improving quality of life and lifespan of community: The physician
employs preventive measure strategies to prevent spreading (communicating
of diseases in the community. He/she promotes and recommends lifestyle
changes in management of diseases.
8. Role as a behavioural therapist in community: The physician practicins
with humanistic approach (treating with compassion and care) helps
 What does it Mean to be a Doctor? 11

building-in trustin patients andthis has found to be effectiveein developing

confidence, solace and optimistic hope in patient, thus this behavioural
approach hastens recovery. This doctor-patient trust in community
members (as a medical practitioner is usually family doctor of many in
the society) stands as behavioural therapy approach in community-based
healthcare.
9 Role in building professionalism and respect towards doctor
community: The professionalism in practices by doctors such as
abiding by codes of ethics establishes high ethical standards and this
helps in looking forwards towards doctors with respect, trust and
confidence by community members thus establishing medical profession
high esteem in the community.
10, Role as trainers of present and future generation of doctors for
community: The physicians provide on job training in teaching as well
as service hospitals thus are developing man-force for future healthcare
delivery. This also helps in improving the standard of patient care.
11. Role as scholar and health advocate: The physicians continue lifelong
learning to update their medical knowledge, thus they are looked forward
as authoritative sources on clinical standards and practice for diagnosis
and management by the community members for seeking consultation if
required. The patient may approach a physician with local health issue
and physician can work as health advocate toconvey community request
to local/state administration.

Assignments for Evaluation

1. Discuss the professional qualities of physician.
2. Discuss the need, scope and importance of lifelong learning
by physician.
3. Discuss the role of physician towards healthcare delivery.
4. Discuss the role of physician towards society and community.
Short Answer Questions

1. What are the qualities of a good doctor?

2. Enlist qualities of a good physician.
3. Enlist importance for lifelong learning by the physician.
4. Discuss the lifelong learning methodologies for a doctor.
5. Discuss the role of a physician as a behavioural therapist.
6. Enlist few national health programs in which a physician is
expected to participate.