Dr. Brij B. Agarwal
MBBS, MS (Gold Medalist), Dip. Yoga (Gold Medalist), FIMSA
Consultant Laparoscopic & Gen. Surgeon
Punctuality in Medical Practice:
Attitude + Behavior = Good Performance
Dr. B. B. Agarwal
Consultant Laparoscopic Surgeon
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
Practice of medicine has undergone a sea change in the last decade. This paradigm shift is continuing and causing a lot of churning, bringing froth and scum to surface. The change from a ‘walk-in clinic’ to ‘full service care’ and managed care has been accentuated with lack of operational improvements. Evolving legislation, technological convergence, an aware society and information explosion have thrown an enormous challenge to us. A stable sociopolitical atmosphere, standard operating protocols and continuing knowledge up gradation are appealing but beyond our control presently. In this era of practice of ‘evidence based medicine’ our self evaluation is the only tool available entirely to us.
Doctor-patient relationship is not only sacred but the Touchstone of our profession.
This relationship based upon trust, faith and confidentiality is nurtured by the catalysts required for any other relationship. Our attitudes and virtues like communication and behaviour are as important to it as is breathing to life. We as doctors play our part in many dimensions such as an academician, a scholar, a social thinker and a leader, especially of healthcare team. To sustain this leadership in healthcare delivery we need to evolve and mature in 5 areas
Ž Implementing agendas
Ž Handling relationships
Ž Basic values
Ž Temperament
Ž Personal awareness
Much of space in these areas as you can see is taken up by attributes linked to self. While communication as a theme has been touched upon recently by me, other personality traits are equally if not more important. Punctuality a seemingly trivial trait is the hidden link in the chain of our behavioral pattern.
Louis XVIII of France said “Punctuality is the politeness of kings”. It is also said “Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business”. But of late people think “Punctuality is the art of guessing “How late the other fellow is going to be?”.
Literal meaning of punctuality is the quality or habit of adhering to an appointed time. Promptitude is not only our duty, but is also a part of good manners. It is favorable to fortune, reputation, influence and usefulness. It is the soul of any business or relationship. Didn’t Lord Nelson say “I owe all my success in life to having been always a quarter of an hour before my time”.
Lack of punctuality is lack of respect for others. If we make an appointment with others, we owe them punctuality. We have no right to throw away other’s time, even if we do our own. We may borrow someone’s money but not time. So we should respect time and practice punctuality in all our relationship to allow them to blossom. If we feel that to be punctual is right than let us practice it. To see what is right and not to do it, is want of courage.