India has become a hub of medical tourism in the recent years. People from all over the world but most notably countries like UK, USA and Australia come to India for having a cheap bypass surgery or hiring a Indian surrogate mother. The bypass surgery which costs $140,000 in USA could be done here in meagre $7000. Nearly 12 lakh people visit India every year for medical purpose. Quite reasonably, this has also changed the face of medical facilities and we witness a facelift in the tertiery medical hospitals.
A model of complete care has taken roots which is considered more professional, hygienic and standardised vis-a-vis model of family-based care. In Complete care, hospital deploys their own nursing staff which looks after the patient 24*7 at the hospital. In this, family members and relatives need not stay by the side of patient during his stay at hospital. A team of doctors, nurses and housekeeping staff will ensure that patient regain his original shape in due time. This goes to the extent that when patient is lying in ICU then his family members would not be allowed to meet him. And this is where I feel preplexed.
This model is perfect for a country with individualistic culture where no one is going to baby sit for the patient or care 24*7 for the patient because everyone has their own lives to live. However, a country like India, we are primarily collectivistic society. Even though the trend of nuclear family has taken roots in recent years but we remain functionally jointed and structurally nucleus in familial setup.
It means even today when we have a marriage ceremony, then decisions are taken by the senior members of extended family. When some one gets admitted to hospital, Senior members assumes the responsibility of being a key decision maker to be present in the hospital to take crucial decisions. When a pooja is performed, it is the elderly who steer the process. So, a typical Indian may be liberated to choose his drink, his political affiliations, or his car but as far as important things like marriage, healthcare, career are concerened, the final decision escalate up the ladder to the senior members of the extended family. Why do we do so? Many psychologist have explained it in different ways but let's not get into that. But one thing is sure. If we do not find our elderly and loved ones around, this will certainly give rise to some nervousness and anxious moments.
In the context, This essentially means that western model of medical care may be good for physical well being, protection from infection, maintaining hygiene but it is not well suited for mental well-being of the patient. When he is not allowed to meet family members, in a way his total emotional social support system is withdrawn. Thus any recovery will be slow and prone to relapse or depression.
Instead, some research could be done in architectural design of ICU wards. One can draw from knowledge of hospital care, psychology and architectural sciences and technology to design ward in such a manner which allows patient to see his relatives, kids, family members from time to time whenever he wishes and keep the ward clean and hugienic. For example, a video camera could be installed on his bed and a handheld device may be provided to family members so that he can see his family members and family members can monitor his progress. A simple smile on his face can boost his confidence and recovery growth. Similarly, the wards may have some glass window from where pateints can get glimpse of family members and vice-versa. This also serves the same purpose as camera but it requires design changes in ICU wards.
Anyway, Visit to any hospital as a visitor has dual effect. On one hand, we feel the gratitude towards God for "keeping us healthy and saving us from the situation" while on the other hand, seeing so many desolate, depressed faces makes person sad and depressed himself. It reminds me of the reality and inevitability of death. It tells us "how short and unpredictable is our life and it takes not more than a fraction of second before everything goes down in the drain"? So live life every second. Do what you really wish to do. and Enjoy life.
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