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Health,Wellness,Education,Mompreneurship
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
When its Healthcare,we need quantity,quality ,care ,time,equality all carefully gift wrapped and available round the clock.
But everything is governed by the purse string .High quality care,at minimal cost for everyone on demand, is utopic and is what many Government try to give.
Since health is personal,food choices,genetics,environment is personal,addiction choices are personalย -uniform healthcare which is universalย is looking illogical and opposite of practical.But that’s the unicorn all countries are chasing.
But saying that its important for the economically backwards to have free healthcare,to prevent the debt burden.
What happens if you try to give this benefit to everyone ?What happens when this population continues to chew tobacco,smoke and drink country liquor?Lets see what happened all around the world before we do anything else?
NHS that is the National Health Service in UK came into effect in 1948.It is a long running healthcare model.It serves a country with a population of a fraction of India.It has a population way less than India.But they are struggling with their coffers because healthcare workers must be paid .If the system doesn’t earn money ,how do people get paid?How do medicines,infrastructure get funds.NHS is partly being privatized .That’s the 2025 News.Karl Steimer has unveiled this plan to help serve more than 6 million people waiting for at least that many procedures!
Budget for the NHS for 2024/25 was ยฃ176.9 billion.They plan to reduce elective surgery waiting time for 65% people to 18 weeks .Waiting time for nonurgent consultant led treatment is upto 18weeks.
Its also people’s choice or autonomy.They have the choice to wait,choose subsidized healthcare and get subsidized care in the long run or pay money upfront to visit a doctor quicker.
Economics of Healthcare cannot be ignored.Tobacco,alcohol,unhealthy lifestyle,ultra processed HFSS food,poor sleep,poor environment are factors which can be changed by the individual .
In India we actually have State ,Central Government hospitals where free treatment for almost everything is possible.We have a Government free health insurance scheme called Sasthya Sathi in West Bengal , Ayushman Bharat rest of India which is taking it’s toll on the state and centre’sexchequer but is definitely helpful for many. We also have private insurances and doctors at private clinics and hospitals available with direct payment.The outpatient care is affordable to most extent .Surgical cost depend on the city,type of care,facilities and surgeon.
With absolutely free Government Healthcare I have often failed to understand the long term logic of insurance companies, being the middle- -man in Government health schemes.With my limited understanding its probably to give care through public-private partnership for situations not covered at Government hospitals.But that is a burden which must be assessed in the background of easily available cheap tobacco,indigenous local liquor,employment in tobacco factories causing havoc to those most at risk.
Tamara’s blog post on the Ultimate blog challenge made me realize how the different Healthcare design across the world shape the health and choices of people there .A lot to learn.
Here’s the blog post I am talking about
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2024/07/ubc-july-2024-health-care.html
In Switzerland people are expected to be responsible for their own health and Healthcare insurance.That’s the reason may be people are more likely to have less health issues there.Give Tamara’s post a read and let me know about the healthcare model in your country.
I think access to qualitycare should be available for all ,with tiered payment system according to income ,insurance and a good health score that helps those who build good habits and avoid addictions.Tobacco and alcohol cause a huge healthcare burden and the decision to curb access to them may go a long way in saving our youth.But I am just a small cog in a giant wheel .Things do become clearer as we grow older and some problems maybe are meant to persist .
These are all questions that need a conplac planning,maybe a scoring system like video games where good behavior and good health should be rewarded?
Is free quality healthcare sustainable?What do you think is a good middle path?
By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on
There’s a reason we say Doctors practice medicine. Since we are always trying to learn more,do it better ,the learning continues.And that’s the reason behind today’s post title .I never got out of student mode!
But even if that sounds a little scary ,that doctors are always learning,isn’t it better than know-it-alls who never want to learn more or move with the times?But that debate is for another time.
On the 25th of January this year our Y2K Calcutta Medical College Batch(cmcmillennialbatch.com),decided to celebrate a big bang silver jubilee reunion.It was special because, since 2006 when we finished our internship,we had managed a grand total ofย one reunion.
After the wonderful weekend meetup with family, we were recharged like it was 2000 again!
Leaving you with my meandering, after meeting my friends ,when we decided to turn back time!
You never stop learning.
Those were the life changing years of my life.
Yours teachers,patients,friends and classmates all will teach you:some times about what to do and often about what must be avoided at all costs.
“Do no harm” must be a part of all professional courses.
It’s never going to get easier;you will just get better at doing the difficult things.
Ditch the God complex ,better yet don’t let it ever enter your soul.Its the worst possible handicap for a professional.
Don’t forget your peer group-you can’t be best buddies with all,but those that are your friends remember to stay in touch.Its good for you and good for them.(They may not agree to say so upfront ,but your purpose in life is simple-nag them and remind them of their college life for which they must stay suitably grateful).
Don’t expect to become a zillionaire.But you will make a respectable earning. (Depending on skill,hardwork and Goddess Laxmi’s blesssings) hopefully.
Have a plan about your life and stick to it.For girls:The biological clock is real and if you plan to procreate;don’t delay too much.Its a horror running after kids with greying hair .I am not being gender discriminatory-just sensible.
Continue to enjoy life,sleep,eat healthy and exercise daily.You are your best advertisement.
Listen to your patients:it’s best to get to know people in order to help them .Listening is a super skill.
Don’t skip the history taking and your forensic medicine classes.
Ignore those who tell you to bunk classes.
Don’t miss anatomy dissection,practical classes, ward rounds and tutorials. They are the places were the nuggets of wisdom are shared.
Don’t stop being in touch with your friends.
Good friends are like STARS.
You don’t always see them but you know they’re ALWAYS there !
Don’t stop doing the right thing,there may be no prizes for this,but you will sleep better .
Plan your career as carefully as you studied for those vivas.It may not be a ten on ten in the end,but you should be the one making the choice.
Go green.Spend time in nature,garden, to get rid of the chronic stress associated with medical practice.
Save .
Start saving early.
Diversify your income.
Diversify your savings.
Take the medicolegal course and entrepreneurship course as soon as possible.
If you plan to marry :marry on time and have kids at the right time. As a woman professional, the biological clock and the professional growth cycle coincide and you need to plan smart to avoid the pitfalls.
If you plan to marry:supportive partner is crucial .For Women doctors it’s the make or break for careers!
Roshan Radhakrishnan says "An extremely talented doctor and author of multiple books, Dr. Amrita does a great job managing multiple roles with ease." Anaesthesiologist (Human painkiller) ยฆยฆ Winner #TOIWriteIndia - S01 & 02 ยฆยฆ Finding #HeroesOfKindness across the world
Vishakha Talreja says "Amrita has immense knowledge of health-related content. Her writing style is reader-friendly and I have seen her blog posts go viral for the sheer fact that they are informative and helpful.
As a doctor too her knowledge is noteworthy and she always gives the right consultation that is in beat interests of those consulting her. She is also hands-on on the issues faced by her own community. Having worked with her I can definitely vouch for her professionalism and punctuality."
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