Last Updated on December 7, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
With an experience of a decade, Dr Sarthak Ashok Rastogi is a consultant pulmonologist. His specialisation is in respiratory medicine with special interest in tuberculosis, asthma and lung fibrosis. Currently, he is based in Mumbai and working with Holy family Hospital and SL Raheja Fortis Hospital.
What is the best thing you enjoy about treating patients?
The feeling when a critically ill patient goes home and comes back to meet you recovered, no joy comes close to it.
When is a patient easy to treat?
Firstly, there has to be a reasonable amount of trust towards the doctor and an acceptance of their diagnosis and the limitations it may bring. Lastly, willingness to get better with commitment towards rehabilitation and lifestyle modification.
When is a patient difficult to treat?
In a lot of cases, people around the patients, their relatives who are in charge of their treatment make it difficult for us to treat the patients. Relatives of a cancer patient are often adamant not to tell the patient, situations like these never end on a good note. Lack of trusting relation with the doctor and lack of compliance makes the job difficult. Some patients for various factors hide things from a doctor, which further toughens the job.
How helpful is it to the treatment course, if the patient is knowledgeable about the treatment procedure, benefits, risks etc.?
It is helpful. The acceptability of the diagnosis and treatment improves, the time consumed to explain on what to expect further also reduces. This gives us more time to concentrate on other important aspects of recovery/course of the disease.
How can a patient improve their knowledge about the treatment procedure?
Reading up basics of the disease from authentic sources on the internet which provides simple patient related information. Joining peer support groups and getting to know first-hand experiences of survivors of the disease can be another great way.
How medical misinformation act as a problem in the overall treatment procedure?
It is a very serious problem. Myths and misinformation often lead to unavailability of appropriate care and inaction. Sometimes, important time is lost, and the condition worsens and progresses from curative plan disease to palliative care.
A few advice that you always give to your patients
Exercise for 30 minutes a day, cut down the carbohydrate intake and increase proteins. Stop smoking today. Have alcohol in moderation and get sleep for 7 hours every night. Meet your doctor regularly and discuss all your health queries with a doctor only. Also take nutrition advice from a certified nutritionist and not trainers or coaches.
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