Changing With Changing Times

 Changing With The Changing Times.


I am an Anaesthesiologist by profession. I have been doing freelance private Anaesthesia practice for almost more than 2 and a half decades.
In initial days of practice, ignorance about my field and about the procedure undergoing was seen in many educated patients too.
The illiteracy levels were high.
No social digital media.
No marketing too by Hospitals and medical field.

Times started changing.
Digital social media took the whole Society hooked up to their phones.
Lots and lots of important information about everything became available.
This boosted Awareness of many things amongst public.
Awareness of medical diseases,screening and treatment facilities available.
Hence,today,I am finding public approaching Hospitals themselves for routine screening and investigations.
Many are availing the various treatments for many issues.unlike yesteryears patients had to be coaxed to get themselves realise about the seriousness of the underlying disease and importance of the treatment and need for intervention.
Digital Technology has made information available and accessible to all.
Both Society and we Medical practitioners have been benefitted by Digital technology and Social media.
Awareness and Marketing.
Availability and Accessibility.

But as times are changing, the Society has changed.
Society through Digitalisation along with facts is getting even fake or false information or half truth  about medical issues and medical field.

The person approaching me today is more...
1. Apprehensive because of over information and half truths.
2.Misguided by mindless marketing and social media. This results in high expectations and zero tolerance.
3.Arrogant and Demanding.
The improved per capita ,Insurance schemes, Benefits given by Government and non Government organizations  makes finance available and accessible for many.
This results in " I pay.... I demand" attitude.
Impatient and Distrust.
Society today has Trust Issues.

How do me as an Anaesthesiologist change with the changing times?

I am at an age ...which began pre Digitalisation.
And mid way entered Digitalisation.
I need to adapt myself as I still have many years to practice.
I can't change attitude of changing Society.
But can not compromise with my skills.
Changing a Bit with the Changing Times.
Communication- Digitalisation has helped me to impart " Right Information ". I have downloads of videos about the various procedures involving Anaesthesia and Pain Relief.This improves level of understanding amongst all strata ( educated/ uneducated, Arrogant/ Ignorant, Trust/ Distrust.)
Convincing and Assuring both is easy and accessible.
Transparency-
As person approaching me is more aware and informed ( either fully or at times incomplete ,partial,flawed,patchy), I face many questions to be answered.
Society is now aware and has accessibility to Medicolegal Rights.
So Transparency is debatable.
How much underlying complications and side effects must I educate the person about Anaesthesia is debatable?
If I go into detail, person becomes more apprehensive and Anxious.
If I don't give complete information, I may get slapped a Medicolegal case for negligence and incomplete information if an untoward complication or side effect happens.especially Morbidity and worst Mortality.

Today,I have to be well aware of the existing laws,rules and regulations.
Updated knowledge of current trend and technology.
Regularly updating of newer drugs,procedures,Gadgets not only in my field but other fields too.

Documentation-
With changing trends,documentation of everything has become must and important part of my Anaesthesia practice.
Documentation helps in communication and transparency. Documentation is crucial for evidence in case of untoward bad outcome.

Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT -
The newer baby in world of Digitalisation and Technology has already changed my Anaesthesia practice. My gadgets are AI based Documentation has improved. Updating myself to newer skills .Accessibility and adaptability to current Anaesthesia practice is easier.
AI has revolutionized and improved my Anaesthesia practice.
But same time,AI and Chat GPT has made my patients too more informed demanding. More anxious and even more apprehensive.
Person approaching me is under the " Misconception " of being more knowledgeable than me as a Doctor.
More Distrust and more arrogance.
AI and Digitalisation has enabled the entire infrastructure dependent upon the System.
Recently we saw Doctor consultation available on Amazon Digital marketing platform.

AI is here to stay.
It will surely change our Society and will have a huge impact on our Medical practices.
Attitude of society towards medical profession will change even more.
Currently trending  viral episode in KBC showed an overconfident and impatient kid arrogantly interact with Mr Amitabh Bacchan projects a changing Upbringing and Attitude of current generation. The impatience is demanding instant gratification.

How do I change with the upcoming Changing Times.....
Challenging and Interesting.

Dr Tripti Milind Galgali.
Anaesthesiologist, Hubli .




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