Children of IAS officers become IAS officers. Children of doctors become doctors. Children of actors become actors. In this way, those who are in key services and various sectors mostly try to bring their children into the same services. Sometimes, children too get attracted toward their parents’ professions. There have been many successful instances in this regard. However, a recent sensational survey has come to light. At present, 91 percent of doctors in India do not want to send their children into this profession. This was revealed in a survey conducted over the past six months by the Debabrata Mitali Arogya Foundation. The organization prepared this report after collecting the opinions of 1,200 physicians from major cities as well as small towns across the country.
The report was prepared after taking the views of doctors working in government services as well as in the private sector. Many cited fear of attacks, along with legal and emotional pressures, and the stress caused by spending long hours in hospitals as key reasons. At the same time, many revealed that heavy work pressure is pushing them into severe depression and is also affecting their skills. In addition, a large number of doctors are having to face legal cases. The report stated that 67 percent of doctors have had to face at least one medico-legal case in their career. For various reasons, most doctors are now not recommending this profession to their children. Many expressed that long working hours, night shifts, and frequent on-call duties are affecting their family life.
Several doctors reported chronic sleep deprivation due to work pressure and the inability to spend quality time with their families. Another alarming development is that public trust in physicians is declining, with six out of ten stating this concern. According to the views recently expressed by doctors, if they do not send their children into this profession, there is a risk of a shortage of experts in this field. Experts opine that problems may arise particularly in high-specialty areas as well as postings in rural regions. It is being expressed that reforms are needed in the medical sector to bring about changes in the current situation. Otherwise, difficulties in the future are unavoidable.