Today, the first day of July is celebrated as the “National Doctors’ Day” in India. So, let me take this opportunity to wish all the Doctors a very happy Doctors’ Day. Why not write something about “Being a Doctor” , I thought and there would be no better day to do that. Many articles on this topic have already made their journeys around the social medias. Why become a doctor? is a million dollar question to start with. But, I will try to explain how it feels to be a doctor. If you are looking for a good career advice, hang on and continue reading.
But first of all, let me tell you why we celebrate Doctor’s Day in India on July 1 and not March 30, as they do in the United States of America.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, an imminent physician, a renowned Indian freedom fighter and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, was born on July 1. He was one of the few talented men to acquire both the MRCP (Membership of Royal College of Physicians, UK) and FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, UK) qualifications. He expired on his 80th birthday in 1962. India celebrates his birthday as the National Doctor’s Day to remember and honour all the doctors serving her citizens.
Now, let’s get started with the common man’s thoughts behind the aspirations and decisions to “become a doctor”.
Is Money the key factor? Of course not! Money is the usual ingredient which attracts the non-medicos to this field.
“Why should you worry now, your son is a doctor now” that is one of the lines I have heard many times from persons when they talk to my father. The society pictures their doctor as persons who are brilliant academically, owning sedan cars, a big house and so on. But the reality is different.
Money will find you, and you don’t have to search for it if you are a doctor. But, don’t become a doctor to just to make money. That is cheating the society in an indirect manner to be honest. Don’t live to make money, they say. Instead it should be like, make money to live.
The one who has the ultimate passion and dream to become a doctor should be aware of the following facts:
- Service to the society should be your primary motto.
- You will have to sacrifice your leisure time, your holidays and weekends when called upon.
- You may need to sacrifice your night’s sleep to take care of the sick and dying.
- If you are aiming to be a renowned super specialty doctor, it is going to take 12 years of the most joyous period from your life.
- Continuos study to upgrade your medical knowledge is necessary for the rest of your life. This is in addition to learning the most difficult and vast academic curriculum which starts from day one of your training.
- One unexpected error, commission or negligence and your career is done! Forever, there’s a chance of being man-handled if you’re unlucky! Read this article for an example.
I’m not trying to push you away by frightening you, these are facts. And if you are ready to endure these, you can become a successful and a socially respected doctor in your locality. If you have the passion, pursue it and work hard for it. There is yet another group of doctors who landed on this profession, courtesy to their parents!
Parents play a crucial role in shaping up one’s career. If your parent is a doctor, you are most likely to end up in this profession, even if you prefer some other jobs. I know several friends of mine who chose this field just because their parents pressed them to. Most of them are leading a happy life as doctors and they are thinking their parents now for taking the crucial decision for them.
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Good things of being a doctor :
- Everyone in your neighbourhood and locality will recognise you and will greet you whenever you meet them
- You will have the final word in “health and medicine” related matters in your family.
- You’ll get to help at least one person a day for the rest of your life.
- You can work even after your job retirement by practising at home, clinic etc. You’ll decide the time until you work.
All sacrifice and hardships will be forgotten when you help a sick person to feel and live a healthy life. When you can relieve the pain of a person in severe pain and the person thanks you for it, the feeling is hard to explain in words. The social respect and image of a doctor especially when you work in a rural area is a pleasant one.
Forget the journey and embrace destination. Being a doctor is a noble thing. I consider it as being the “Hand of God”. We work to heal the sick and ill persons. Being the hand of god is something that I relish about. And if you are ready to feel the nobility of being a doctor and worry less about the sacrifices that you have to make, go ahead. Join me and millions of others to serve the needy and do things the right way.
Are you a doctor? Do you have anything to share with the public? Please submit your thoughts in the comments section below and your articles (if any) in the “Guest Post” page.
Have a very Happy Doctor’s Day, again.
Image credit – LucasHayas
