Role of the societal forum in driving excellence for freelance anaesthesia practitioners

Dear Editor, The Indian healthcare system is diverse, and the private healthcare system plays a pivotal role. There is a great diversity in private healthcare deliveries ranging from primary to tertiary care referral hospitals, even serving foreign patients.[1] While the quality of the services provided by the big corporate hospitals is at par with the public sector top-level hospitals, the quality and facilities available with the non-teaching private hospitals of secondary and primary care raise concerns for patient safety.[2] When discussing private sector healthcare, we often overlook the freelance health practitioners, which constitute a significant share. While many physicians and freelance practitioners practice medicine from clinic-based set-ups, the scenario for anaesthesia practitioners differs. Anaesthesia is vital in modern medical practice, ensuring patients’ safety and comfort during surgical and interventional procedures.[3] The anaesthesiologist community is currently the second largest in the world in the speciality.[4] Amongst the various avenues of anaesthesiology, private practice anaesthesiologists form an indispensable pool contributing significantly to healthcare services in India. The problems they face are multidimensional, which hampers health practice, quality and patient safety.[3] Medicine is an ever-changing subject, and physicians of all disciplines must continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge. However, most of the freelancers need help keeping them updated. In such a scenario, the professional societies of healthcare practitioners can play a crucial role by providing them with a platform. The Private Practitioner Forum (PPF) of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) brings together anaesthesiologists working in private practice throughout India, acknowledging the unique challenges these professionals encounter in day-to-day practice. PPF was discussed during the ISA National Conference 2018 in the President’s Inaugural Address as a forum to promote networking and generosity within the medical community, ensuring patient care and safety.[5] It is vital in facilitating cooperation, knowledge exchange and professional development amongst those involved in private practice anaesthesiology as a subset of the greater ISA community. It helps to develop a sense of community and unity amongst anaesthesiologists engaged in private practice. The forum preserves the essential values of unity and collaboration by bringing together experts from all backgrounds and areas of expertise. This sense of oneness allows anaesthesiologists to share experiences, learn from each other and boost their careers professionally and personally. The forum works to improve private anaesthesia practitioners’ standards by utilising its members’ combined knowledge and experiences, ultimately heading towards safe anaesthesia practices. The PPF offers its members a variety of benefits. Through several opportunities, including online discussion boards, webinars, symposiums and continuing medical education programmes, practitioners can access a wealth of material that helps them stay updated with the most recent developments and best practices in their field. The participants on this platform may seek guidance, exchange clinical experiences and participate in in-depth debates since it acts as a reservoir of knowledge and insight. Mehta et al. also emphasised the importance of continuous professional development in anaesthesiology private practice and warranted the vital role of PPF in accomplishing this goal.[6] By staying updated on the latest research and newer techniques, private practice anaesthesiologists can enhance their skills and deliver safer anaesthesia services to their patients. By harnessing its members’ collective knowledge and experiences, the forum can identify areas that require improvement and implement evidence-based solutions. In addition to knowledge sharing, the PPF think tank advises on policy amendments. The forum serves as the united voice of anaesthesiologists who work in private practices, promoting their concerns and resolving issues particular to their line of work. By collaborating with relevant authorities and organisations, the PPF endeavours to effect positive change and shape the future of private practice anaesthesiology in India. A vital component of career advancement and work satisfaction is empowerment. The PPF significantly contributes to the empowerment of anaesthesiologists working in private settings by giving them a forum to express their thoughts, concerns and opinions. Members have a sense of pride and ownership in their profession through active involvement in conversations and decision-making processes. The PPF also allows participants to volunteer and take on leadership responsibilities, which helps the forum develop and succeed. These experiences refine leadership skills and nurture a spirit of giving back to the anaesthesia community. Healthcare physicians of any discipline who engage in private practice frequently encounter some peculiar difficulties, such as irregular working hours, handling financial matters and managing work and family obligations. Providing a platform by different healthcare societies and organisations can acknowledge these challenges and provide a supportive environment for members to seek advice and develop coping strategies. By fostering a community of resilient professionals, such forums will equip its members to overcome challenges and succeed in their careers beyond academics. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.