A Doctor’s life is hard. It is mired with life-altering decisions and an insane work schedule. It’s very hard to balance out professional and personal life. One needs to be well centred in the mind to avoid fatigue and eventually burn out.
I come from a simple and hardworking Indian family. My parents moved to Delhi from their home town of Madras soon after I was born.
I was schooled in London and Delhi. Finished my Bachelors in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from the prestigious Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Delhi University. I continued my higher education both in India and abroad while actively practising at the same time.
I was mentored by the late Dr R.C. Dhingra, who was one of the great legends of his time. I have over two decades of experience as a Doctor and am based out of Delhi & Goa. I specialise in treating chronic and rare diseases. I am humbled to say our offices today treat patients from all over the world.
2. What is your take on virtual methods of providing treatment?
Virtual therapy and telemedicine have never been more relevant than today when the Covid-19 pandemic has a vice-like grip over the whole world. This year has forced many professions to think differently.
Virtual therapy can take place on the phone, emails, an app or via a video chat and has allowed millions of people to seek treatment in the comfort and safety of their own homes without having to take the risk of exposure.
But like all things and methods, it has its benefits and limitations. The limitations of slow networks, low-quality video and challenges for people who are not technology-savvy are immense drawbacks. A lot of people feel less comfortable if they do not meet their doctor one on one. That lack of a personal touch can take away the patient’s confidence.
In this day and age data breaches and security concerns have become a serious issue. But the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Personally, this is not new to us. We have been using virtual methods and telemedicine for over 15 years in our clinical practice. Not only do we have patients come to us from cities all over the country but we also cater to a global audience.
That said, at times we do need to send our patients to physicians and specialists in their respective cities when a physical examination is warranted for.
3. What do you think are the key differences in studying medicine in India and other countries?
India has some of the finest institutions and highest educational standards. We have world-class professors and very dedicated teaching faculties.
Over the years, the infrastructure has made impressive leaps too. Most of our country’s first-rate doctors have studied in India. In my opinion, Indian doctors educated in India are as good as, if not better, than their peers abroad.
4. Which countries are the best for studying medical sciences besides India?
UK and the US. Their universities are flushed with funds especially when it comes to innovations, research and development.
5. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
One of my biggest professional challenges was trying to change pre-existing mindsets to Alternative Medicine. Many people had preconceived notions because they were probably ill-informed all their lives.
Quackery is rampant in India. A lot of people practise medicine without any qualifications or registration to any medical council or board. All this undermines doctors who are practising their profession honestly and sincerely.
A Doctor’s life is hard. It is mired with life-altering decisions and an insane work schedule. It’s very hard to balance out professional and personal life. One needs to be well centred in the mind to avoid fatigue and eventually burn out.
6. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
Self-belief and passion for what you do.
Prepare to toil. If you are afraid to work hard and like shortcuts then maybe this isn’t a good fit. Things will go wrong at some point and that is when you have to be emotionally ready to reboot and start again.
Understanding your strengths and the ability to understand people around you.
7. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
I think taking on investments early is too glorified these days. Outside capital maybe fashionably “in”, but it will always be an obligation. The right way to grow is not giving up equity and by mentally preparing yourself to persevere and work hard.
Whatever you make, put it back into growing your business. That way your business is always your own.
There is nothing wrong in slow, steady organic growth.
Keep evolving and stay relevant. Set clear actionable goal and above all be self-disciplined. Only then can you lead by example.
8. Which is your favourite book and why?
I am an avid reader, though almost exclusively non-fiction. So I have way too many favourites. At the moment I am reading two books.
The first is called ‘Salt’ by Mark Kurlansky. It talks about the historical importance of this sought after commodity that at one time was even used as currency! Salt is described as the only rock we eat essential for life itself. It was such a valuable resource that it even provoked wars and contributed to colonialism.
The second book is on Native American Indian tribal wisdom that helps one gain perspective on the balance between spiritual and physical health. It’s called The Wind is My Mother’. It’s fascinating to learn how so many indigenous populations were culturally so connected with our Planet. The respect they had for fellow life forms and the Earth is profound.
- Dr D. Karthikeyan (Doctor & Entrepreneur)
Dr D. Karthikeyan is a celebrated senior consultant in Homeopathic Medicine specializing in chronic and rare diseases. With a deep and diverse educational repertoire, he represents an evolving breed of distilled, new age medical professionals in India.
He is the Founder Joint Secretary of the Institute of Holistic Medicine and Allied Research and has been Principal Investigator for several research projects under DST, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
An alumnus of the prestigious Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, University of Delhi where he graduated to complete the Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery degree, Dr Karthikeyan has a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics from the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bangalore. He also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases (Tuberculosis) from the renowned London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London.
He completed a Certification in Medical Cannabis and Pain Management from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa. Most recently, he was awarded an Honours Distinction in Sleep Neurobiology and Sleep Medicine from Ann Arbor, University of Michigan. He is a permanent International Member of The British Council for Complementary Therapies, United Kingdom.
Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani
2. What is your take on virtual methods of providing treatment?
Virtual therapy and telemedicine have never been more relevant than today when the Covid-19 pandemic has a vice-like grip over the whole world. This year has forced many professions to think differently.
Virtual therapy can take place on the phone, emails, an app or via a video chat and has allowed millions of people to seek treatment in the comfort and safety of their own homes without having to take the risk of exposure.
But like all things and methods, it has its benefits and limitations. The limitations of slow networks, low-quality video and challenges for people who are not technology-savvy are immense drawbacks. A lot of people feel less comfortable if they do not meet their doctor one on one. That lack of a personal touch can take away the patient’s confidence.
In this day and age data breaches and security concerns have become a serious issue. But the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Personally, this is not new to us. We have been using virtual methods and telemedicine for over 15 years in our clinical practice. Not only do we have patients come to us from cities all over the country but we also cater to a global audience.
That said, at times we do need to send our patients to physicians and specialists in their respective cities when a physical examination is warranted for.
3. What do you think are the key differences in studying medicine in India and other countries?
India has some of the finest institutions and highest educational standards. We have world-class professors and very dedicated teaching faculties.
Over the years, the infrastructure has made impressive leaps too. Most of our country’s first-rate doctors have studied in India. In my opinion, Indian doctors educated in India are as good as, if not better, than their peers abroad.
4. Which countries are the best for studying medical sciences besides India?
UK and the US. Their universities are flushed with funds especially when it comes to innovations, research and development.
5. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
One of my biggest professional challenges was trying to change pre-existing mindsets to Alternative Medicine. Many people had preconceived notions because they were probably ill-informed all their lives.
Quackery is rampant in India. A lot of people practise medicine without any qualifications or registration to any medical council or board. All this undermines doctors who are practising their profession honestly and sincerely.
A Doctor’s life is hard. It is mired with life-altering decisions and an insane work schedule. It’s very hard to balance out professional and personal life. One needs to be well centred in the mind to avoid fatigue and eventually burn out.
6. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
Self-belief and passion for what you do.
Prepare to toil. If you are afraid to work hard and like shortcuts then maybe this isn’t a good fit. Things will go wrong at some point and that is when you have to be emotionally ready to reboot and start again.
Understanding your strengths and the ability to understand people around you.
7. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
I think taking on investments early is too glorified these days. Outside capital maybe fashionably “in”, but it will always be an obligation. The right way to grow is not giving up equity and by mentally preparing yourself to persevere and work hard.
Whatever you make, put it back into growing your business. That way your business is always your own.
There is nothing wrong in slow, steady organic growth.
Keep evolving and stay relevant. Set clear actionable goal and above all be self-disciplined. Only then can you lead by example.
8. Which is your favourite book and why?
I am an avid reader, though almost exclusively non-fiction. So I have way too many favourites. At the moment I am reading two books.
The first is called ‘Salt’ by Mark Kurlansky. It talks about the historical importance of this sought after commodity that at one time was even used as currency! Salt is described as the only rock we eat essential for life itself. It was such a valuable resource that it even provoked wars and contributed to colonialism.
The second book is on Native American Indian tribal wisdom that helps one gain perspective on the balance between spiritual and physical health. It’s called The Wind is My Mother’. It’s fascinating to learn how so many indigenous populations were culturally so connected with our Planet. The respect they had for fellow life forms and the Earth is profound.
- Dr D. Karthikeyan (Doctor & Entrepreneur)
He is the Founder Joint Secretary of the Institute of Holistic Medicine and Allied Research and has been Principal Investigator for several research projects under DST, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
An alumnus of the prestigious Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, University of Delhi where he graduated to complete the Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery degree, Dr Karthikeyan has a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics from the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bangalore. He also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases (Tuberculosis) from the renowned London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London.
He completed a Certification in Medical Cannabis and Pain Management from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa. Most recently, he was awarded an Honours Distinction in Sleep Neurobiology and Sleep Medicine from Ann Arbor, University of Michigan. He is a permanent International Member of The British Council for Complementary Therapies, United Kingdom.
Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani
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