How I Keep Healthy the First Patient Is You

Long working hours, emergency calls, irregular meals and the emotional demands of caring for patients often leave doctors with little time for self-care. Yet, Dr K. Krishna Prabhakar, Director, Department of Internal Medicine, Renova Century Hospitals, believes a doctor’s wellbeing is inseparable from the quality of care they provide. “Looking after our own health is not a luxury or an act of selfishness. It is a professional responsibility,” says Dr Prabhakar. He believes the timeless advice attributed to Hippocrates, “Physician, heal thyself,” is more relevant than ever. Echoing Sir William Osler’s famous words, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease,” he adds, “To continue caring for others, we must first take care of ourselves.”

Movement Is Medicine

“Doctors don’t always have the luxury of spending an hour in the gym, but staying active isn’t complicated,” he says. “Walking between wards, taking the stairs, stretching during breaks and avoiding prolonged sitting can make a big difference.” He recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, along with strength training at least twice weekly, to maintain cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health and muscle strength.

Food Is Fuel

“Nutrition is no longer about counting calories. It’s about the quality,” he says. “A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, nuts, healthy fats and protein supports healthy ageing and lowers the risk of lifestyle diseases.” he adds: “We often tell our patients that food is medicine. The same applies to us.”

Protecting the Mind

Dr Prabhakar stresses that mental wellbeing deserves the same attention as physical health. “Good sleep, regular exercise, spending time with family, pursuing hobbies and seeking support when needed are signs of strength. We cannot pour from an empty cup. A calm and healthy mind helps us think clearly and make safer clinical decisions.”

Lead by Example

For Dr Prabhakar, doctors influence patients even through their own habits. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver,” he believes physicians have a unique opportunity to inspire healthier lifestyles simply by living the values they advocate.

“The first patient every doctor must care for is themselves. A physically fit, mentally resilient and emotionally balanced physician is more alert, makes better clinical decisions, and inspires greater trust in patients.”