Physicians and professors of medicine should have a positive attitude and should be pleasant and courteous while interacting with patients and their colleagues, said V. Shantha, chairperson, Cancer Institute, Adyar.
Dr. Shantha was speaking to graduating doctors at the convocation of Chettinad Academy of Research and Education in Kelambakkam on Friday.
“A patient is not a disease, not a set up for an investigation.” She reminded physicians and everyone in the medical fraternity about the importance of being courteous with their patients and colleagues at medical colleges and hospitals.
Delving into issues of medical education, she said, “We need quality and standards in education in an environment that is conscious of ethical values and not bound by narrow, divisive forces of casteism. Quality standards can be improved only if we ensure merit as the sole criterion in any selection process.”
Dr. Shantha went on to say: “Today, science and technology are so dominating the medical practice that the care-giving component is slowly disappearing, and if this is absent, critical balance is lost,” and called for a critical self-appraisal by physicians.
In his address, T.S. Krishnamurthy, former chief election commissioner, said the country had had several poverty alleviation programmes over the decades, but poverty continued to be widespread and if it had to be wiped out, the medical community had to play a crucial role.
A total of 108 young men and women received degrees and diplomas in various disciplines on the occasion. V. Raji, vice-chancellor of the university, welcomed the gathering and presented the annual report.
