Doctors are described as the forms of divine and have a very important role to play in alleviating the sufferings of their patients, who regard them as heroes and have great expectations from them.
In order to commemorate their role and to thank them a day is earmarked for it. This date is different and is variable from country to country. First July every year in India is celebrated as the National Doctors Day.
The concept of having an annual day for appreciating the doctors’ efforts made a beginning in the USA by Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of Dr Charles B Almond. March 30th was selected as the date to commemorate Dr Crawford W Long’s first administration of anaesthesia. First doctors day began in 1933. The date coincides with the first surgery done under anaesthesia in Jefferson, Georgia in 1842.
Likewise, every other nation has its own date for observing the day. In India it is observed on 1st July since 1991 to honour the legendary physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy who was born on this day. He was from West Bengal and also served as the chief minister of the state from 1948 till his death on 1st July in 1962, ironically on his birth date.
He was a brilliant doctor and has had the rare combination of having passed FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons) and MRCP (Membership of Royal college of physicians) simultaneously.
One of the things Dr Roy was dedicated for, was to provide affordable healthcare to all people of India. He was instrumental in establishing several good facilities in West Bengal, which included the Jadavpur T B Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution and many others including Chittaranjan Seva Sadan women and children Hospital. In addition to his serving the sick he also took an active part in freedom struggle of India along with Mahatma Gandhi.
The community is proud of their doctors, who have been their soldiers not at the borders of the country but within it by working to save lives, improve life expectancy and quality of life.
There are innumerable instances where they have not given up despite being attacked by angry patients and their relatives. Their heroic efforts of selfless medical service during COVID and other epidemics, even risking their lives is still fresh in our memory.
By commemorating the dedication, skill, and compassion of medical professionals who tirelessly serve our communities, beyond honouring their hard work, this day is a step to reflect on the essential role that doctors play in our lives, particularly the significance of having a family doctor.
A family doctor serves as a coordinator of our healthcare journey. By improving health outcomes and preventing more serious illnesses here is how they can be our life saviours:
A family doctor is not just a healthcare provider; they are a trusted partner in maintaining our well-being over the long term
They know our medical history intimately, understand our family dynamics and are well-equipped to provide personalized care that goes beyond prescriptions
Their continuity of care is invaluable, offering a deep understanding of our health concerns and preferences, which can significantly enhance treatment
Through regular check-ups and screenings, they can detect potential health issues early, allowing for timely intervention and better management of chronic conditions
In the medical profession, a family practice doctor is usually a general practitioner (GP) who treats acute and chronic maladies, procures preventive care, and lets people know when they are required to consult a specialist about a certain condition.
Unlike doctors who specialize in a specific field – like a gastroenterologist, an obstetrician, a gynecologist, an ENT specialist or a urologist, etc., a family doctor’s responsibilities are not just restricted to the specific organs of the body, rather they usually have particular skills in treating people with multiple health problems, irrespective of their age, gender or phase of life. They are also well aware of the past and present medical conditions of the patient and even the entire family’s medical history.
When a doctor is treating a person along with the entire family for years of their life, they cultivate a keen understanding of the patient’s medical history and even the family’s medical history. This chiefly helps the doctor to make accurate diagnoses, suggest proper medicines sans counter-indications, and monitor one more closely for any alterations or red flags in the monthly or quarterly health screenings. Alongside tracking medical history, a family doctor also keeps a note of the routine lives of the entire family and provides counseling on different matters. For example; even if there is any problem in the patient’s personal life like he or she is passing through a stressful situation, the family doctor helps navigate stress and suggests ways of anger relief.
Since family practice doctors perform monthly, quarterly or yearly check-ups, they are the first ones to detect a health anomaly if any, with the early signs and symptoms. And if they notice any emerging condition, they are usually the primary care providers navigating you throughout. They chiefly carry out specific diagnostic tests and procedures to detect the condition, interpret the results, monitor the health, and revaluate further steps if necessary. They also guide their patients to manage chronic medical issues such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and arthritis. They can also treat acute medical conditions like sudden injuries and many infections, and help one steer through stressful times.
In some cases, a certain medical condition might get detected by your family doctor that needs consultation with or care from a specialist. These health maladies can include chronic issues like heart disease, and cancer. When anyone in the family develops one of these conditions, the family physician usually helps by providing primary care and also finding a specialist who fits the exact needs and personality of the family member. Once the treatment starts with the specialist, both the doctors usually work together to shape up the prescriptions and regulate the condition.
There’s ample proof that having a family doctor not only improves the overall health of the entire family but also saves money in the long term. Be it common complaints like the flu, bladder infections, sinus infections, concerns about pregnancy, child’s weight, etc., your family doctor is your go-to person. Going for regular check-ups at the family doctor helps in the early detection of acute and chronic issues, and also helps manage them on time. The family doctor also helps as an emergency care provider in case of sports injuries or allergic conditions. This also reduces hospital visits and reduction on total healthcare spending for an individual.
Doctors’ day is an occasion to appreciate the efforts and valour of their saviours by the general public, patients and those associated with health care. It is like giving back love and affection to their physicians by creating an emotional bondage so essential for their continued zeal to serve the society.