Who Heals The Healers?

Who heals the healers? “Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability” - Sir William Osler Medicine is often looked upon to be an orderly field of knowledge and procedure. However, appearances can often be deceptive. It is an imperfect science, a science of uncertainty, an art of constantly changing, rapidly evolving knowledge and technology, and a puzzle that fails to fall in place, but at the end, all that matters is there are lives on the line that need to be saved. As Paracelsus rightly said, “Medicine does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life.” It is a discipline rooted in science yet driven by the profound responsibility to serve with heart. Medicine for most of us is a not a career; it is a calling, a calling during which the prime years of our lives are dedicated in acquiring and honing our skills. As doctors, we are not only healers but a beacon of hope and comfort for all those in pain. Doctors in their role as healers utilize their knowledge and skills acquired over years of toil and sacrifices to diagnose and treat their patient’s illness. This goes beyond addressing the physical aspect of illness and encompasses emotional and psychological support, guiding patients and family through complex medical situations. We as doctors do go by standard operating protocols while formulating treatment plan for our patients, but sometimes, though not often, our sixth sense, our intuition, takes over. The glory of medicine is that it is constantly moving forward; there is always more to learn. With rapidly evolving technology and a barrage of new scientific breakthroughs emerging on a daily basis, staying ahead of the crowd at every corner in this highly competitive world can have a profound adverse impact on the doctor’s physical and mental health. Being too involved in patient care and being too attached to patients and their families does have its consequences. When faced with morbidity and mortality on a daily basis, yearning to live up to the high expectations of patients and their dear ones, being workaholic and constantly on the go, with seldom or no breaks, the sympathetic nervous system remains in a heightened state of awareness for most of the time. The constant adrenaline rush results in anxiety, impulsiveness, and a disturbed mental state. The scars left behind by this constant state of vigilance on the subconscious mind are difficult to heal unless efforts are made for. The discrepancy between our expectations regarding the patient’s outcome and the actual outcome is often so wide that this gap complicates everything we do. Mental health issues are a significant concern among doctors with 25–30% of them experiencing depression, anxiety, burnout, and even suicidal ideas – rates much higher than the general population.1,2 In India, the life expectancy of doctors is 59 years as compared to 67.9 years of an average person.3 This lower life expectancy has been linked to poor lifestyle – long working hours, poor physical activity, inadequate sleep, work–life imbalance, unhealthy diets, resource shortage, and workplace conflicts.1 As doctors are at the forefront of healthcare delivery, their mental health directly influences their decision-making, patient interactions, and overall performance. Poor mental health among doctors can lead to diminished empathy, compromised clinical performance, medical errors, and strained patient–doctor relationships. So, the million-dollar question is: Who can heal the healers, the knights shining in white coats? I believe they themselves can for the Universe conspires to help those who help themselves. Doctor–patient relationship built on trust, faith, belief, and empathy is crucial for healing. As doctors, we have been trained and it has been imbibed in our genes that patients’ health and wellbeing are our top priorities. However, we need to set our priorities straight. Patients can still be our priority but not at the cost of our physical and mental wellbeing. Managing this work–life balance and achieving a state of flow is the key aspect of healing. The theme for National Doctors’ Day marked on July 1, 2025 is “Behind the mask: Who heals the healers?” The theme does acknowledge that doctors who are focused on caring for others while neglecting their own needs do need healing and support. A holistic and multifaceted approach is needed to address the mental and emotional wellbeing of doctors who dedicate their lives for healing others. Healing is indeed transformative. We do not heal in isolation but in community. Spending time with family, following a healthy diet, seeking solitude in nature, taking short weekly or monthly breaks, nurturing a hobby, seeking solace in meditation, remaining detached from work at home, and staying calm amid the chaos are some of the few ways most of us can heal. Promoting mental health awareness by openly discussing mental health among peers, easy access to self-help groups, creating a supportive work environment by reducing work place stress, and developing emotional resilience building programs can help doctors to overcome adverse and challenging situations.1,2 Dr Atul Gawande, surgeon and writer in his book ‘Being Mortal’ has addressed the mental health issues plaguing doctors. Gawande argues that doctors when faced with increasing complexity of medical knowledge and technology, along with administrative demands, do have their limitations; they are not immune to errors, inconsistencies, and emotional stress.4 He advocates a shift from the traditional “lone wolf” approach to medicine to one that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and shared decision-making.4 He thus encourages a more holistic approach to healthcare, recognizing that the wellbeing of doctors is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of patients.4 “When I stand before thee at the day’s end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing.” - Rabindranath Tagore. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.