Clinician's Health?

Agrawal, Rajesh. 2025. “Clinician’s Health?”. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 73 (11): 84-86.

Abstract

Usually, people are under stress because of their own health issues, but clinicians are under stress because of others' (patients') health, and for them, they put their own health at stake. Here, by clinician, we mean every specialty of healthcare professionals (HCPs), physicians and surgeons. Clinicians are precious and their health is equally important. Unfortunately, most of the clinicians are not in good health because of the challenging and demanding needs of the profession, such as reading a lot while dealing with difficult cases and competition to cope with others. Most of the clinicians have a false belief that they are doing well, so they will not get any problem, or they themselves will take care of their health, and another very important fact is that most of them have little faith in their own colleagues, and this bitter truth must be accepted. Doctors need their own clinicians because despite their medical knowledge, they face a unique set of challenges such as exposure to high-stress, long working hours, altered sleep due to shift duties and irregular eating habits and non-nutritious diet, less time for self-care, and imbalance between family, professional and social life as well as stigma around mental health and treatment are sufficient to neglect their own health. They must have a sensitive physician to manage their health, like their patients, as family members of the doctors do not know whom to contact in case of emergency or the doctor's ill health. Doctors are not immune to health issues such as mental health, physical strain, burnout or infectious diseases, and various chronic diseases. Having their own doctor helps ensure they receive the unbiased healthcare they need, allowing them to continue caring for others effectively. Doctors play an essential role in maintaining the health of society, yet their own health is often compromised due to the stress of the demanding profession. Chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension (HT), coronary artery disease (CAD), thyroid disorders, and cancer are highly prevalent among HCPs, and the reasons are long working hours, sleep deprivation, emotional strain, and lack of time for self-care. By prioritizing regular health check-ups, stress management, physical activity, and a healthy working environment, and a balance between social, familial, and professional life, doctors can improve their own health. The key takeaway is adopting a holistic approach to doctors' well-being, which includes physical, mental, and emotional support, combining individual responsibility with institutional backing. Doctors should be empowered with the tools, resources, and cultural support they need to prioritize their own health to make society healthy. Large-scale surveys are required to find out the exact prevalence of various acute and chronic conditions among HCPs and how they are tackling them. Note: By clinician, we mean every specialty of doctors (HCPs), physicians, and surgeons. Terms such as physician, clinicians, doctors, and HCPs are used synonymously in this write-up.

Last updated on 11/24/2025
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