“Time Churao” campaign: “Steal” time out of your busy schedule

Almost everybody today complains of lack of time… “There is so much to do and too little time to do”. Everybody seems to be busier than ever. Well, being a doctor is not an easy job, it’s also a busy job. Being a doctor also means multifaceted responsibilities. A doctor not only has to treat his patients, he is also a teacher, researcher, manager, communicator, community leader.

Health education is an important component of the duties and responsibilities of a doctor. It has a direct link to patient satisfaction. However, in a busy practice, doctors often lack the time to educate their patients and families about different health-related issues. Juggling both practice and home often leaves doctors with no time left for community health activities.

Here is what I do.

Whenever I am invited to a function and the chief guest is running late, I ask the organizers for the mike and start ‘zero hour’. Instead of sitting on the dais, I like to walk around the room, among the audience and interact with them. Being on the same level as the audience breaks a barrier and people may find it less intimidating to raise questions.

During Zero hour in the Parliament, members can raise any important matter that is relevant to the public. These questions do not require any prior notice.

Similarly, I ask them questions on any health-related topic – of current interest or any other - and try to engage them in discussion. I find that a lively Q &A session is a good way to disseminate information and educating the people as I also come to know their level of awareness about a topic. I avoid speaking too much of medical jargon or scientific terms because the audience soon loses interest.

This is how I “steal” time out of my busy schedule to converse with the public.

I encourage all of you to do such activity to educate your patients, their families and friends and the public.

Dr KK Aggarwal

National President IMA & HCFI

Recipient of Padma Shri, Dr BC Roy National Award, Vishwa Hindi Samman, National Science Communication Award & FICCI Health Care Personality of the Year Award

Vice President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Past Honorary Secretary General IMA

Past Senior National Vice President IMA  

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Gold Medalist Nagpur University

Limca Book of Record Holder in CPR 10

Honorary Professor of Bioethics SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre  
Sr. Consultant Medicine & Cardiology, Dean Board of Medical Education, Moolchand
Editor in Chief IJCP Group of Publications & eMedinewS

Member Ethics Committee Medical Council of India (2013-14)  

Chairman Ethics Committee Delhi Medical Council (2009-15)

Elected Member Delhi Medical Council (2004-2009)

Chairman IMSA Delhi Chapter (March 10- March 13)

Director IMA AKN Sinha Institute (08-09)
Finance Secretary IMA (07-08)
Chairman IMAAMS (06-07)
President Delhi Medical Association (05-06)