Being a doctor is often seen as one of the most respected professions in India.
But behind the white coat are realities that patients rarely see: pressure to generate revenue, unethical hospital practices, referral cuts, long working hours, residency ragging, emotional burnout, and the constant struggle to maintain medical ethics.
In this episode, Dr Nachiket Bhatia sits down with Dr Prabhleen Kaur, an MD physician from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, to discuss the realities of being a doctor in India.
Dr Prabhleen opens up about being fired during her SRship after pregnancy, the challenges faced by female doctors, and why she resigned from a hospital on her very first day after witnessing practices she believed were unethical.
The conversation goes deeper into how hospital management can put pressure on young consultants to generate revenue, how doctors' stamps and signatures can be misused, and why some doctors choose to walk away from corporate hospitals rather than compromise their ethics.
The episode also explores the controversial referral cut system, patient distrust, unnecessary testing, quackery, antibiotic misuse, and the growing gap between doctors and patients.
Dr Prabhleen explains why unethical practices by a few doctors can damage the reputation of the entire medical community and why doctors need to speak openly about ethical medical practice.
Some battles in medicine are fought inside hospitals.
Others are fought within the doctor themselves.
If you're a medical student, NEET PG aspirant, resident doctor, young physician, or someone interested in the reality of the Indian healthcare system, this conversation offers an honest look at what happens behind the scenes.
What we unpack in this episode:
• Why Dr Prabhleen Kaur resigned from a hospital on her first day • The reality of unethical practices inside hospitals • Why female doctors continue to face challenges related to pregnancy and maternity leave • How corporate hospitals put revenue pressure on young doctors • How doctors' stamps and signatures can be misused • The truth about the referral cut system in healthcare • Why patients increasingly distrust doctors and medical tests • How quackery and misinformation are affecting healthcare in India • The dangers of self-medication and antibiotic misuse • Why ethical doctors need to speak openly about their work • The emotional turmoil doctors experience while dealing with critically ill and dying patients • The reality of residency, language barriers, ragging, and harassment • What every young physician should know before joining a hospital • How doctors can maintain their ethics while building a career in medicine
This conversation is not about blaming an entire profession. It is about understanding the difficult choices doctors face, the systems that influence healthcare, and the responsibility of both doctors and patients in creating a better medical ecosystem.
About the Host:
Dr. Nachiket Bhatia is an angel investor, 3x TEDx speaker, and motivational educator for India's medical community. Through his conversations, he explores medicine beyond exams — including careers, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and the real-world challenges faced by doctors.
00:00 - Trailer 01:06 - Introduction 01:48 - Dr. Prabhleen Kaur’s Journey in Medicine 02:18 - Challenges related to pregnancy and maternity leave 04:38 - Challenges Female Doctors Face in India 05:04 - Why She Resigned on Her First Day 09:42 - Truth about referral cut system in healthcare 16:52 - Patients Distrust Doctors 19:20 - Private Players Are Changing Indian Healthcare 28:30 - Emotional Toll of Being a Doctor 31:29 - Reality of Residency Ragging 37:54 - How Should a Young Physician Start a Clinic? 41:23 - Advice Every Young Doctor Needs to Hear 41:51 - Conclusion
