Are Indian Doctors Overworked and Undervalued? Hereโ€™s What Needs to Change

Doctors in India work long hours, handle many patients, and face many challenges every day. From small towns to big cities, their work often goes unseen. Many of them feel stressed, tired, and unheard. They give time, energy, and effort without breaks. This is not just a feeling. It is a fact shown by a detailed survey done by Knya.

Knya Vitals: The Report With a Heartbeat is based on answers from over 10,000 doctors in India. This survey shares what doctors go through at work, how they feel, and what they need. The goal is to show the real condition of doctors in India. It helps to understand how much they work, how they feel, and what changes are needed in their daily routine.

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What the Knya Vitals Report Foundย 

Doctors who took part in the survey came from different places and levels. Some were interns. Some were residents. Some worked in small hospitals. Others worked in big cities. But their answers showed a common patternโ€”most doctors feel overworked and undervalued.

Many doctors reported working more than 12โ€“14 hours a day. Some even said they work 24-hour shifts. These long hours do not just affect the body. They affect the mind too. Many said they feel mentally tired, stressed, or even sad. They do not always talk about it, but the weight is there.

Long Hours and No Breaks

Most doctors said they do not get proper rest between shifts. A large number of them eat meals in a hurry, sleep late, and start work again early. There is little time for hobbies, family, or even sleep.

This leads to mental fatigue. Fatigue means the brain does not feel fresh. It becomes harder to focus. It may also affect the way decisions are made. Many doctors shared that they feel like they are on a loopโ€”work, sleep, repeatโ€”with no time to pause.

Physical Impact of the Job

The job of a doctor is not just mentally hard. It is physically tiring too. Standing for hours during surgeries or rounds, missing meals, skipping restโ€”all of this leads to physical stress. Some doctors in the Knya survey said they get back pain, headaches, or body aches often.

Even when they feel sick, doctors continue to work. Some said they feel guilty if they take leave. They feel they may leave patients waiting or trouble their co-workers. This kind of thinking adds more pressure to an already stressful job.

Mental and Emotional Stress

Many doctors also face emotional pressure. Talking to patients, giving bad news, or dealing with emergencies can affect the mind. Doctors need to stay calm, strong, and focused. But inside, they may feel low, worried, or anxious.

The survey by Knya showed that many doctors do not talk about their feelings. There is a fear of being judged. There is a fear that speaking up may look like weakness. Because of this, stress builds up over time.

Lack of Appreciation

Doctors shared that they often feel unrecognized. Many said their efforts go unnoticed. In many places, doctors are expected to do their job without any thanks or support. Some said they get blamed when something goes wrong, even if they did their best.

When hard work is not seen or valued, it leads to burnout. Burnout is when the body and mind feel used up. It leads to lower energy, less motivation, and a feeling of not being enough.

Impact on Learning and Growth

Medical students and young doctors need time and space to learn. But long working hours and heavy duty take away that time. Many shared that they miss out on lectures, reading time, or skill practice. The balance between learning and work is missing.

In the Knya report, some interns shared they felt unprepared and unsupported during critical duties. This shows a need for better teaching systems, fair shift hours, and more structured learning for young medicos.

Changes That Can Make a Difference

The Knya Vitals report is not just a set of numbers. It is a message from the medical community. Based on the data, some clear changes are needed:

  • Shift Limits: Set clear limits for working hours per week

  • Rest Time: Ensure breaks between shifts, even short ones

  • Mental Support: Open conversations about stress and anxiety

  • Safe Spaces: Create rooms for rest and meals in hospitals

  • Fair Pay: Make sure pay matches the effort and hours

  • Learning Time: Give students space to learn and grow

  • Recognition: Appreciate efforts openly and often

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The Role of Knya

Knya has always focused on the lives of doctors. Through Knya Vitals, it listened to over 10,000 voices and presented them clearly. These voices show that doctors need more supportโ€”not just in tools or uniforms, but in their working lives.

Knya believes that doctors are not machines. They are humans with emotions, needs, and limits. By raising these points, Knya hopes to spark change in how India looks after its medicos.

Conclusion

The medical profession in India is known for its high skill and dedication. But behind the respect and the role, there are people who are tired, stressed, and unheard. The Knya Vitals report shows the real challenges doctors face each dayโ€”from long hours and missed meals to mental stress and lack of appreciation.

If these voices are not heard, the system will continue to suffer. The role of a doctor is not only to treat others but also to be cared for. A strong healthcare system cannot exist without healthy, balanced doctors.

The data from Knya Vitals is not just information. It is a wake-up call. Hospitals, institutions, and society need to look again at how doctors are treated and supported. Change is possible, but it must begin with listening.

FAQ's

What is the Knya Vitals Report?

It is a survey report based on answers from over 10,000 doctors across India, covering mental, physical, and emotional experiences in their workplaces.

What did the report find about working hours?

Many doctors reported working 12โ€“24 hour shifts, often without proper breaks or rest.

How does overwork affect doctors?

Overwork causes mental fatigue, poor focus, body pain, and emotional stress.

Do doctors get enough rest between shifts?

Most doctors in the survey said they do not get enough rest or sleep between shifts.

How does the job affect a doctorโ€™s learning?

Due to long duties, many students and residents miss lectures, reading time, and skill-building opportunities.

What is burnout in doctors?

Burnout is when doctors feel used up, both physically and mentally, due to ongoing stress and long work hours.

Is mental health a problem for doctors?

Yes. Many doctors reported stress, anxiety, and low mood but feel unable to speak up about it.

Why do doctors feel undervalued?

Doctors often feel that their hard work goes unrecognized or that they are only noticed when things go wrong.

How can the system change for the better?

Better shift planning, open talks on mental health, fair pay, and more learning time can improve conditions.

What is Knya doing about this?

Knya collected voices through its survey and is sharing the data to bring change and highlight the real lives of doctors.