The Magic of Communication

The Diabetes Health Team Dr Tiny Nairtalks to about the unsung hero of one's health and wellbeing - communication.

Dr Tiny Nair

How important is doctor-patient communication according to you?

A pill is bitter, an injection painful and a surgical procedure is often temporarily incapacitating. Despite these short-term troubles, patients undergo and endure everything, with the assurance of the doctor that these procedures will do well for them in the long run. It is this doctor-patient trust and relationship that determines how much and how well the patient is going to follow medical advice, and in turn, determine the success of treatment. Or failure!

How people in India stand apart from the rest in matters of health?

Nearly 70 per cent of the Indian population spend on healthcare out of its pocket since they are not insured. So they would prefer to spend it when pushed back to the wall, making sick-care the standard in India. And that's why we see Cath labs, hi-tech hospitals, bypass surgery and such kind of advanced treatment growing in India at a fast pace. Neither the doctor nor the public is interested in lowering blood pressure, controlling blood sugar or optimizing cholesterol or follow a healthy lifestyle since there is very little glamour and monetary incentive.

What is your inspiration behind writing the book 'The Magic of Indian Medicine'?

I regularly write medical and social-themed articles in a blog called Quora. My wife suggested that why not collect those essays and make them into a book. The very fact that it had done well shows that it makes sense to follow the wife's advice; I mean most of the time.

Jokes apart, she is an unending supply of fuel to me; fortunately with no price hike!

Is response towards health and healthcare different in rural and urban India?