IN THE REALM of health care, while doctors often occupy the spotlight, there is a pressing need to focus on another critical pillar of clinical care―nursing professionals. From both a doctor’s and a patient’s perspective, the quantity and quality of nurses in India require urgent attention.
Nursing is the backbone of patient care, often serving as the primary touchpoint for patients during their hospital journey. While a doctor may spend five to ten minutes with a patient during rounds, nurses are the ones who provide round-the-clock care, acting as the vital link between the patient and the health care system. We once had a mother and daughter as patients, both critically ill. While the daughter recovered and was moved to another ward, the mother’s condition deteriorated. When the mother was nearing the end of her life, no family members were present to comfort her. The nurses stepped in, coordinating video calls between the mother and daughter, ensuring the daughter could virtually be by her mother’s side in her final moments.
To elevate the quality of nursing, we must focus on two core areas: empowering nurses and enhancing their training. Unfortunately, most nursing curricula in India fail to address the growing role of technology in health care. Today, nurses are expected to work with advanced medical devices like syringe pumps, infusion pumps and ventilator technologies. However, fresh graduates often lack sufficient hands-on experience with these tools, leaving them underprepared for real-world challenges. In addition to technical expertise, communication skills are equally critical.
―As told to Pooja Biraia
Dr Shetty is CEO and executive director, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.