Most doctors are unhealthy themselves and don’t inspire confidence

Dr Aniruddha Malpani

One would expect doctors to be in the pink of health. After all, we are healthcare experts, shouldn’t we be taking great care of our own bodies? The irony is that while we are great at prescribing advice, we aren’t very good at following it ourselves.

Most doctors aren’t healthy themselves and don’t inspire much confidence in their patients when they talk to them about fitness and stress management. Here’s what helps me:

Get going, exercise

To overcome a sedentary lifestyle, I started playing tennis. It’s a great way to start the day and allows me to get some fresh air. Most importantly, it’s something that I enjoy doing which means I am motivated to do it. And being motivated is the secret to getting exercise.

Selective technology

As with most people today, I end up spending too much time on my phone. I enjoy using LinkedIn on a regular basis because it allows me to tap into the wisdom of my peers. Yes, there are lots of trolls, but I either ignore them or block them when they become insufferable.

And as the number of helpful people online is much more than the trolls, there’s no reason for me to cut myself off. The secret here is to be choosy about how much I want to interact.

Being humble is key

It is stressful being an In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) doctor. When patients don’t get pregnant, you need to give them a shoulder to cry on. And every time their cycle fails and their heart breaks, you feel disappointed as well and wish that you had more control over the treatment outcome. But the reality is, you don’t.

I have learnt to come to terms with this. Medicine, therefore, teaches you humility, that not everything is in our hands. It’s a lesson we can all imbibe.

Of course, the great thing about being an IVF doctor is that the emotional income is unbeatable. Every time we help a couple have a baby, we’ve dramatically improved their entire life. As my patients tell me, “Doctor, we thank you every time we see our kids.”

Explore the world of books

I spend my free time reading as I love exploring the wealth locked up in books. I have a huge library and I look forward to reading all the books which I still haven’t read.

Re-reading my favourites recharges my batteries but I am always looking for timeless, eternal wisdom. Therefore, I am learning Sanskrit today to be able to read the original text of the Gita. The wisdom it imparts is unparalleled and it’s helpful to tap into our inner reservoir of spiritual strength.

My favourite prayer is the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Author(s)

  • Dr Aniruddha Malpani

    IVF specialist and angel investor who believes in Information Therapy

    Dr Aniruddha Malpani is an IVF specialist who graduated from Bombay University, winning over 20 gold medals in his academic career. His clinic at www.drmalpani.com attracts patients from all over the world. He founded the world's largest free patient education library, HELP, at www.healthlibrary.com. He has authored many books, including How to Get the Best Medical Care; Successful Medical Practise; Using Information Therapy to Put Patients First; Decoding Medical Gobbledygook, all of which are available free at www.thebestmedicalcare.com. His passion is patient empowerment. He believes that using Information Technology to deliver Information Therapy to patients can heal a sick healthcare system (www.patientpower.in). He has pioneered the use of innovative technology to educate infertile couples using cartoon films, comic books and e-learning on his website, www.ivfindia.com. He is an active angel investor (www.malpaniventures.com) and admires entrepreneurs because they have the potential to change the world.