Death is the eternal truth of life. Fortunately for us, questions of life and death do not turn up every day. Unless you are a doctor.
Making life-altering decisions every day is a part of a Doctor’s work profile. With every patient’s visit, he/she has to choose the best method of treatment to suit the patient’s needs. If the mortality of the patient is apparent, the doctor must provide them the best quality of life. Imagine cutting open bodies of fellow humans, performing complex procedures for hours at a stretch, unsure if the results will be restorative or terminal. It is no lay man’s cup of tea.
Doctors are also well versed with the sheer uncertainty of life. While one might feel invincible and healthy, doctors know how life can come to an abrupt halt when someone dies of an accident or a terminal illness.
They also have to worry about several external risks typically associated with commercial units. Patients, especially in the Metros demand more accountability now. They are quick to accuse doctors of negligence even if the patient deals with health fluctuations that are completely out of the doctor’s control. Filing of claims and even suits and litigation against doctors is not unheard of anymore. From my conversations with doctors, I realize that these are constant worries that weigh on their minds.
All in all, the Medical Profession drives home the risks of everyday life in every Doctor’s head. They are more than aware of how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. They witness how footing hospital bills that run into lakhs is another nail in the coffin for a grieving family. To top it all off, they have to be extremely precarious so as to not make the minutest mistake in their job. Their reputation is always at stake. They see it every day. It is a part of their job.
But what surprises me is that in spite of all this, no one wants to think about the inevitability of their own death. No one wants to answer the question, ‘What if?’ No one wants to prepare for the worst, even when the solution is simple - INSURE your life. INSURE your health, INSURE your work.
Life insurance is the buoy that will keep the family afloat after the storm passes, and the breadwinner is no longer there to guide them through it. A doctor can also be prone to all health risks as a normal human and his / her family equally needs protection of Health Coverage. A Professional indemnity insurance protects doctors from patients’ claims related to omissions, negligence, or errors. The insurance covers defence costs during the investigation, and expenses related to representation and compensation, if any, awarded by the court.
Scientifically temperate and rational professionals such as Doctors must be first in the queue to insure their lives and professions and secure their families’ futures.