Medicolegal Conclave Survey: Testimony of Plight and Injustice Faced by Medical Professionals
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: PG courses) are estimated to have died from committing suicide.5 Dr Archana Sharma, a medical practitioner at a private hospital in Rajasthan's Dausa district, wrote in her suicide note on March 29, 2022, "My death may prove my innocence.DON'T HARASS INNOCENT DOCTORS Please", after she faced violence and an FIR under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 302 (murder) following the IntroductIon "No physician, however conscientious or careful, can tell what day or hour he may not be the object of some undeserved attack, malicious accusation, black mail or suit for damages" JAMA, 1892 1 Once revered as the dream of scholars, the medical profession has now become a nightmare for those who have opted for it.Escalating wave of litigations, increasing incidence of violence, strangulating government policies, and deteriorating doctorpatient relationship have rendered the profession suffocating.According to a study conducted by the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) Pune chapter, an Indian doctor's average lifespan (55-59 years) is almost 10 years less than that of the general population (69-72 years). 2 This alarming trend is attributed to extreme burnout, underpayment, academic stress, corporate hospitals' unrealistic work targets, and patient/relatives' violent attacks, driving doctors to the path of untimely death through suicide.Only 6% of doctors are happy with their jobs.They commit suicide at twice the rate of the general population.Over half are unsure they would recommend the practice of medicine to young people.3 Doctors in India have at least 10 years shorter lifespan than an average individual.4 Findings from a recent National Medical Commission (NMC) survey suggest that at least 36,000 medical professionals are suffering from mental health issues.In the last 5 years (2018-2023), 153 MBBS students and 1,120 PG students dropped out of their institutes.Moreover, 122 medical students (64 in MBBS and 58 in
Authors: Satish Sharma, Ratan Kumar, Hemant Gangolia, Jyoti Kumar Gupta
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414156830