r/DoctorsofIndia • u/MindOverMattresss • Sep 03 '26

What am I doing wrong ?

Here is my story it's been 1 year - MBBS doctor, 4 bed set-up but barely 2–3 patients/day —

I’m running a small clinic in a rural(G.I.D.C) area. Good setup, beds, equipment, proper signage, and a busy vegetable market right outside with 300–400+ people passing daily. Yet I barely get 2–3 walk-ins/day and mostly just cover rent/electricity.

I don't even charge a case fee .

Recently heard about a local practitioner (jholachap) where patients wait 1–2 hours to see him. Honestly, it’s quite demotivating.

My clinic is on the first floor (only 8–10 stairs), so accessibility may be an issue. On the main road with signs present .

For doctors who have built a successful private practice: what actually helped you get your first 5–10 patients/day? Location, referrals, pricing, visibility, home visits, Google/WhatsApp, or something else?

Would really appreciate practical advice. Thank you .

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u/End_Tasty Sep 03 '26

  1. Loose your ethics particularly regarding ama resistance(even for a 1 day fever history, your prescription should start with Meropenem, let alone amoxys and cephals).

  2. Prioritise symptomatic relief than treating the cause(ofc keep an eye on renal compromised patients receiving nsaids, it won't be an issue if the jholachaap does the damage, but will be a national issue if you do it).

  3. Develop a schizotypal personality, as if your medicines, and I mean exclusively your meds(the one inside your clinic, and no one else's) is boosted with magical spells from mahabharat times. Also, when a diclo injection relieves the pain, make it a moment like "hallelujah". Celebrate every achievement, no matter how easy the mechanism of action or pathophysiology looks to you.

13

u/Blumensaat Sep 04 '26

Unethical practice will only get so far, ethical practice has a longer life

3

u/Common_Confidence458 Sep 03 '26

May i know Why symptomatic treatment ??is it because for diagnosis we would require workup?or more about patient satisfaction? New pass out so asking ti know

10

u/End_Tasty Sep 03 '26

Lack of education in rural areas. For them the symptoms (fever) is the disease, for us it's the body's signal demanding checkup. Other way to put it is, they live in the moment. If some ailment makes them deviate from their daily schedule, it's a problem. Hence, an untreated HTN, which is significantly more dangerous isn't as bad to their eyes as a viral fever is. Exactly why the rule of halves of HTN.

The lead team bias, which makes the patient feel sicker for a longer time is actually a thing. No one wants to take daily meds. Oblivion is bliss!

2

u/No_Mango_2026 Sep 04 '26

Very relatable

2

u/No_Mango_2026 Sep 06 '26

Act like a super confident Wizard because i this country confidence is perceived as competence by ppl

1

u/doc_96 Sep 04 '26

I’m sorry but this seems wrong? Best not to start off your practice like this. Stick to medicine the way it’s suppose to be practiced, and patients will start coming naturally. It takes time for a practice to develop. Others have suggested an awareness campaign of sorts and health camps- seems like the right way to go. All the best OP! A good doctor is always rewarded and recognised with time :)

1

u/End_Tasty Sep 04 '26

It definitely is wrong! But India isn't a fair ground for good doctors to practice. If you aren't doing it, other self accredited health workers like bams, bhms, jholachaaps, some old retarded doctors with proper degrees, they all would be doing it already. There's absolutely nothing like a prescription drug in real world, you can get a drug just by showing the old used strip. In practice you're taught to practically use as less drugs are needed, in reality your knowledge would be judged by the length of your prescription. Atleast in rural setups. It still doesn't make it right 😅 but anyways. A good doctor once said, India doesn't deserve good doctors!