Doctors, hospitals dependent on patients: Dr Lenin
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 16 2023: Hospitals and doctors need to understand that their existence is dependent on patients.

There have been instances of patients returning home without treatment to air dissent against apathy of hospital staff.

Thus, a holistic approach involving patients and their families and healthcare providers are much needed, said RIMS Psychiatry Department head Dr RK Lenin.

Speaking at the observance of World Patient Safety Day by Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI) on the theme of 'Engaging Patient for Patient Safety' on Saturday, Dr Lenin, who is also the president of IMA, continued that healthcare cannot be measured by the quality or quantity of doctors and nurses.

Instead, a number of factors are at play including improving rural healthcare facilities for which complications arising out of healthcare procedures needs to be reduced to zero, though difficult.

Additionally, the lowering rate of mother and infant deaths during delivery is laudable.

All of these are due to the sincere efforts of health care workers, he added.

He further stressed the need for a holistic approach involving patients, their families and healthcare providers.

However, there have been instances of patients returning from hospitals, dissatisfied by the attitude of hospital staff.

This needs to change, considering that often times most patients do not leave the hospital with good news, he remarked.

Dr Lenin then urged patients to undergo frequent checkups to avoid late stage treatments, which are most of the time not successful.

He observed that there are patients who considered themselves more medically qualified than doctors after doing an internet search of their symptoms, while some have zero knowledge and only listen to friends and families who are not medical professions.

There are also those who get addicted due to self-prescription.

Despite all of these, the people should still be made aware of the importance of going to a doctor or a hospital, he added.

Urging health care providers to be extra careful while providing health services so as to avoid unwanted consequences; he also stressed the important of good management system in hospitals from the lowest post to the highest post.

In addition to maintaining a good work culture, there is a need to help hospital staff manage their stress and mental health, for it indirectly affects the wellbeing" of patients under their care.

Observing the huge challenge in working in government hospitals, he said that patients should be allowed to share their wishes.

He then urged fellow doctors to treat the patients and not just the disease.

Delivering the keynote address, SHRI Obstetrics and Gynecology consultant and safety officer Dr N Subodha emphasized on the objects of World Patient Day.

SHRI chairman cum managing director Dr Palin Kh, who attended as the president, discussed the imperative for healthcare providers to minimize avoidable medical errors and emphasize the significance of patient safe ty awareness; while Manipur Nursing Council registrar Dr A Jamuna, who attended as guest of honour, stressed the importance of collaboration between communities, healthcare experts, and stakeholders to foster a safer and more patient-centric healthcare environment.

Resource persons SAHS Community Medicine HOD Dr T Gambhir Spoke on 'Patient engagement in medication safety', SHRI consultant neurologist Dr Guliver P on 'Importance of collaborative decision making with health workers', consultant general surgeon Dr Devendra Kh on 'Patient safety', nursing supervisor Moirangthem Victory on 'Nursing role in patient safety', Medical Services director Dr S Jugindra on 'Patient Safety essential practices', and AGM Quality, Surji Kumari Hidam on 'Leveraging communication tools for patient safety' .

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