Kolkata: Non-clinical professors to assist in patient care amid doctor shortages
In a move to address the ongoing doctor shortage in state-run medical colleges and hospitals, the West Bengal health department has mandated that professors of non-clinical subjects like anatomy and physiology will now contribute to patient care.
Circular outlines expanded roles for faculty
A health department circular issued on Friday by NS Nigam, principal secretary to the state health and family welfare department, stipulates that non-clinical faculty members, who are MBBS-qualified, will assist in OPD services, emergencies, and other hospital duties as needed. Faculty members will also adhere to a seven-hour daily work schedule and provide additional support during admission days and after regular duty hours.
Leveraging untapped medical expertise
Officials explained that non-clinical professors, who have primarily focused on teaching, possess the qualifications to treat patients and will now help ease the workload on clinical professors. This reallocation of duties aims to reduce the strain on overstretched hospital staff in major government medical colleges like SSKM Hospital, NRS Medical College, and RG Kar Medical College.
Mixed reactions from faculty
The directive has garnered support from some non-clinical professors who see it as a practical use of their medical training. A professor from the anatomy department of Medical College Kolkata remarked, “This decision is welcome. We were trained in clinical settings during our MBBS and can handle outdoor or emergency cases.”
Others recalled past contributions during crises, such as the junior doctors’ strike and the COVID-19 pandemic, where non-clinical faculty stepped into active medical roles.
Significant resource potential
Non-clinical departments, such as biochemistry, pharmacology, and microbiology, account for 40-45% of faculty in urban medical colleges and 15-20% in district colleges. These professors represent a large pool of qualified doctors now set to contribute directly to patient care.
Enhanced patient care amid rising demand
With faculty members’ participation in OPDs, flu clinics, and emergency care, the health department expects to mitigate the impact of the doctor shortage while ensuring that clinical professors can focus on specialized duties.
This development is seen as a step toward optimizing resources and addressing the challenges faced by government-run medical institutions.
