At the Horizon of Life & Death

Treating human fragility-a mistake?

This book comprises of stories that capture the pivotal moments in the treatment trajectory of critical patients facing death, depicting 'the real issues' through 'fictional narratives'. It unmasks the latent vulnerability that is intrinsic in the doctor's work, which turns more evil when exploited by many for their benefit- 'media and celebrities' to sell their news and shows, by 'law industry' and 'industry's middlemen to extract money out of medical professionals. The demoralization, suicide by doctors, nurses' plight, and assault of the health care workers are natural consequences. The predicaments of doctors amidst sick patients in an imposed legal milieu, carrying the burden of various vicissitudes like consumerism, legalities, unpredictable course of diseases, mistrust and blame for the poor outcomes have become undesirable distractions. But is this what the patients actually need? Would the entanglement of doctors in such a maze help the patients in real sense? No reward, if you win the match of life and death but a sword hanging if one were to lose? The patient will need to decide eventually, whether to be a consumer or remain a patient.

Being consumers may be a loss-making deal for the patients.

Disclaimer The stories are fictional, but the depiction of the problems to the doctors, nurses and patients are real, based on day to day routine incidents. The episodes do not pertain to any single particular person, patient, doctor, nurse, hospital and organization. All the characters, names and dialogues in the book are figment of imagination of the author and similarity to any person, any situation or organization may be co-incidental. The stories are not against any law, word of courts, profession, any government or any organization or rules of any country. They depict the problems commonly faced by doctors in performing their duties hence are likely to affect the patient directly.